UK Oil & Gas plc said that a court ruling has allowed it to continue oil production at Horse Hill in Surrey for the rest of the field’s commercial life.
COURT OF APPEAL
The company added that the Court of Appeal had refused an appeal by Finch et al to overturn the December 2020 Judicial Review judgment upholding the legality of Horse Hill’s planning consent.
Sarah Finch on behalf of the Weald Action Group was the appellant.
Surrey County Council, operator Horse Hill Developments Ltd (HHDL) and the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities were the respondents.
Friends of the Earth Ltd was the intervener.
LICENCE
In a statement today, UKOG said: “This judgment means that the planning consent for Horse Hill oil production was granted entirely lawfully and, as such, confirms that Horse Hill can remain operational until the end of its commercial field life.”
The company holds an 85.635% operated interest in Horse Hill and the surrounding PEDL137 licence.
Alba Mineral Resources holds an 11.765% interest in HHDL.
FAIRNESS
UKOG chief executive Stephen Sanderson added that the latest judgement in favour of the company came after more than two years during which Finch et al had tried to stop oil production at Horse Hill.
“Given that during this time five judges have found against their case, one cannot help but wonder why they have been permitted so many repeated bites at the same legal cherry.
“That seems at very least unfair and perhaps is also somewhat unjust.”