Oil rig makes U-turn in Greenpeace duel

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have caused an oil rig at the centre of a protest to make a “U-turn” on its way to a North Sea field.

The Transocean PBLJ rig, which is under contract to BP, was heading to the Vorlich oilfield after being occupied by activists in the Cromarty Firth, north of Inverness, last week.

After the protesters were removed by police, the rig left on Saturday, pursued by a Greenpeace ship, the Arctic Sunrise, but activists failed in an attempt to reboard yesterday morning.

The Arctic Sunrise was then reported to have overtaken the 27,000-tonne rig when it was 83 miles off the Scottish coast.

Approximately 20 miles from the drilling site, the rig made a U-turn and headed back towards Cromarty.

John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK, said: “BP’S oil rig has done a U-turn and we urge chief executive Bob Dudley to do the same. BP must stop drilling for new oil and switch to renewables.” He added: “Pope Francis is absolutely right about the climate emergency. We must take action to save future generations from a ‘brutal injustice’.

“BP told the Pope on Friday that they want to find the answer to the climate problem. Wherever that answer may lie it’s certainly not in drilling new wells.

“This is why BP will face opposition wherever they plan to drill for more oil.”

Mr Sauven said: “We have tried letters, meetings, petitions – none of that worked. Now we’re going to stand in BP’S way to prevent further harm to people at the sharp end of the climate crisis.

“In the long run, this is a confrontation BP can’t win.”

A spokesman for BP said: “Reckless attempts by Greenpeace protesters to interfere with the rig while under transport risk the safety not only of those individuals but anyone responding.

“There is also a clear and blatant breach of criminal law and the court orders in place against both Greenpeace and their vessel.

“Greenpeace is choosing to wilfully break the law.”