Shell Settles Lawsuit with Greenpeace Over Activists Boarding Oil Production Vessel
British oil and gas major Shell announced on Tuesday that it has reached a settlement in a London lawsuit it filed against environmental group Greenpeace. The lawsuit stemmed from activists boarding a Shell oil production vessel last year in protest against oil drilling activities.
As part of the settlement, Greenpeace has agreed to pay 300,000 pounds ($382,650) to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), a charity that operates a search and rescue service. In addition to the monetary payment, Greenpeace has also committed to ceasing protests at four Shell sites in the northern North Sea, which the environmental group referred to as “mostly declining fields,” while Shell maintained they are “key oil and gas platforms.”
Shell stated that Greenpeace’s agreement to make a payment to the RNLI acknowledges the serious safety concerns raised by the environmental group’s protest at sea. However, Greenpeace contended that Shell’s decision to settle was influenced by the negative public relations impact of suing environmental activists.
The legal dispute arose after Greenpeace activists boarded a vessel near the Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of northern Africa in January 2023, and traveled to Norway to protest against oil drilling activities. The vessel was en route to the Penguins oil and gas field in the North Sea, which is not yet operational.
During the protest, four Greenpeace activists used ropes to board the vessel from inflatable boats, prompting Shell to take legal action seeking compensation for costs related to shipping delays and additional security expenses. While Greenpeace claimed Shell was seeking up to $2.1 million, including costs, Shell’s lawsuit sought slightly less than $1 million.
Protests at sea targeting oil, gas, and mining infrastructure have been a longstanding tactic employed by Greenpeace as part of its environmental advocacy efforts. In a separate legal challenge, Greenpeace is contesting Britain’s approval for the development of Shell’s Jackdaw gas field, a case that was recently heard in a Scottish court.
As the two parties reach a resolution in this legal battle, the broader implications of environmental activism and corporate responsibility in the energy sector continue to be hotly debated.
(Source: Reuters)