Denmark’s government urged political parties to discuss the future of oil and gas extraction in the North Sea after Total withdrew from the latest licensing round, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities said Oct. 8.
“Total, which is the North Sea’s largest operator, has announced that they are withdrawing their application for the 8th licensing round. This creates considerable uncertainty about the 8th tender round,” the ministry said in a statement.
Denmark has considered discontinuing the tender process because of the country’s ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030.
An independent government adviser on climate change said in June the government should end all future hydrocarbons exploration in the North Sea because it would hurt Denmark’s image as a climate front-runner.
The ministry said it would seek to strike a balance between ensuring a stable framework for the remaining oil and gas operations in the North Sea, including jobs and investments, and the country’s climate goals.
Only two applications remain in the bidding round, the ministry said.
It was not immediately clear which applicants were still part of the tender, but the Danish Energy Agency has previously said it had received applications from Ardent Oil, Lundin, MOL and Total.
Recommended Reading
Shell Trinidad Takes FID at Manatee Offshore Gas Field
2024-07-09 - Shell Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. has taken FID on the Manatee cross-border gas field. Manatee will start production in 2027 and at its peak add 104,000 boe/d or 604 MMcf/d of natural gas to Trinidad’s production profile.
Pitts: Oh, What a Tangled Web the Supermajors Weave
2024-07-23 - Exxon and Chevron and Guyana and Venezuela—‘Let’s Make A Deal’ meets ‘Love, South American Style.’
New Mexican President, Same Reliance on Permian Gas
2024-08-13 - While Sheinbaum leans toward a stronger Pemex, U.S. producers are likely to maintain their relevance in Mexico.
Belcher: How Overturning the Chevron Deference Will Impact Energy Regs
2024-08-20 - The decision will enable the industry to challenge an array of federal regulatory actions.
Objection: Energy Execs Indict DC Appellate Court’s LNG Rulings
2024-08-26 - An ongoing battle with the D.C. Court of Appeals may affect all future FERC-related projects.