Fact-Checking the UK Government’s Statements on North Sea Oil and Gas

The UK government is set to introduce legislation for an annual licensing program for oil and gas in the North Sea. In justifying this policy shift toward fossil fuels, ministers have made several claims regarding its impact on climate change, UK bills, and alignment with recommendations from independent climate advisers. The Guardian fact-checks some of these claims to provide a neutral and informative perspective.

More North Sea oil and gas will benefit households and lower bills
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has linked the fossil fuel policy to lower energy bills, stating that the government is taking action to drive down energy prices. However, Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has admitted that the policy won’t necessarily bring down bills. Instead, it could raise significant funds for public services and support the transition to alternative energy sources like offshore wind and solar.

Jess Ralston from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) notes that most remaining resources in the North Sea are oil, primarily exported, and their extraction does not contribute to lowering bills.

It will help UK energy security
Ministers argue that maximizing North Sea resources is crucial for UK energy security. However, the oil and gas extracted in the North Sea are owned by private businesses and sold on the international market, with no direct benefit to UK businesses. The ownership of the new Rosebank oilfield, for example, lies with the Norwegian firm Equinor.

The Climate Change Committee allows for more oil and gas extraction
Coutinho and the energy security department suggest that the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has endorsed increased oil and gas extraction. However, the CCC denies this claim, stating that the 25% figure cited by the government is not endorsed by them. The CCC emphasizes the need for an over 80% reduction in UK oil and gas consumption to meet climate goals.

UK oil and gas is four times cleaner than that from abroad
Rishi Sunak claims that producing natural gas in the UK is better for the climate than importing it, citing a figure from the North Sea Transition Authority. However, Channel 4 fact-checking reveals that the calculation doesn’t include emissions produced by burning the gas. When accounting for these emissions, imported gas is approximately 17% more polluting than gas from the North Sea, not 400% worse as claimed.

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