The Wressle joint venture expects September’s local authority permission to be quashed for two new wells at the onshore Lincolnshire site.
SCREENING
North Lincolnshire Council informed the companies that, following legal opinion and the Supreme Court decision in June, it would not resist a proposed legal action to challenge the consent.
The court ruled that applications must assess downstream emissions for proposed projects.
The JV today said it would seek a new screening opinion from the council with additional supporting data on the likely scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions.
Statements from Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc and Union Jack Oil plc read: “The proposed legal challenge is based on NLC omitting to consider the likely scope 3 GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions in determining if the proposed development required an environmental impact assessment.
“Having sought their own legal advice, the Wressle joint venture partners have concluded they would not be in a position to defend the proposed legal claim.
“As such it is fully expected that the planning consent will be quashed once the court process has concluded.
“Depending on the outcome of this screening opinion either the existing ‘live’ application would be redetermined by NLC or an environmental impact assessment would be submitted.
“This decision has no effect on the ongoing current operations or production at Wressle, which remains profitable.”
The JV comprises operator Egdon Resources UK Ltd with 30%, Europa 30% and Union Jack 40%.