Greenpeace Activists Stage Protest on Shell Gas Platform

Activists from Greenpeace recently staged a daring demonstration to draw attention to their demands for taxes on the fossil fuel industry and raise awareness about the dangers of global warming. The protest took place on a gas platform off the English coast, where they unfurled a powerful artwork by renowned artist Anish Kapoor.

The group of seven experienced Greenpeace climbers boarded and scaled Shell’s Skiff gas platform, located about 45 nautical miles off the English coast between Hull and Norwich. The platform, which has been in production since 2000, is jointly owned by Shell and Esso.

Philip Evans, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace UK, emphasized the urgency of their message, stating, “Extreme weather is hitting close to home. The extraction of fossil fuels driving the climate crisis is often out of sight. This artwork serves as a visual reminder of the suffering and damage caused by the oil and gas industry right at the source of the harm.”

Artists Anish Kapoor conceived the work which was a canvas covered with a red liquid to look like blood (© Andrew McConnell / Greenpeace)

As part of their demonstration, the activists installed a large canvas on the platform, measuring 12 x 8 meters, and pumped a mixture of seawater, beetroot powder, and non-toxic dye onto it to simulate blood. The artwork, titled “Butchered,” was conceptualized by Kapoor specifically for this action.

The protest coincided with the UK experiencing its fourth heatwave of the summer, triggering health alerts and exacerbating drought conditions for farmers. The group also pointed out the record-breaking wildfires occurring in Spain and across Europe, underscoring the urgent need for action on climate change.

Greenpeace is calling on the UK government to implement new taxes on oil and gas companies, including levies on fossil fuel extraction and shareholders in such firms. This is not the first time Greenpeace has targeted Shell, with previous protests and legal disputes between the two parties.

In a previous incident, Greenpeace climbers boarded a Shell platform being transported to the North Sea, resulting in a legal settlement that included a donation to a UK charity and restrictions on Greenpeace’s proximity to Shell sites. Despite the challenges, Greenpeace remains committed to raising awareness about environmental issues and advocating for sustainable solutions.