UK energy firms reassess security of North Sea oil and gas infrastructure after Nord Stream leaks
North Sea energy firms and British authorities are reassessing the security of oil and gas rigs against interference after damaged Nord Stream pipelines began spewing gas into the Baltic Sea.
Offshore Energies UK said industry chiefs are investigating whether the UK can implement any additional security measures from other countries, and in particular Norway, which stepped up security on Tuesday after mysterious drones flew close to its offshore rigs.
Mark Wilson, OEUK’s safety director, said that no “drones or unusual activities” have been detected around “key infrastructure points” in UK waters, and that all measures are “precautionary,” “proportionate” and “pragmatic”.
He stressed onshore and offshore installations already have “good security and emergency protocols,” with workers “well-versed” in their responses through practice scenarios.
But he said OEUK’s members, which include oil, gas and clean energy providers, are checking if they can build “further resilience”.
A fourth leak on Nord Stream pipelines was announced today as Russia denied accusations of sabotage.
The MI5 threat level has not changed since the attack, Mr Wilson pointed out. It has remained at substantial, the third of five categories, since February.
The UK has around 260 installations producing oil and gas on its continental shelf, with 11,000 workers living offshore at any one time.
Mr Wilson added that cybersecurity is an “ongoing activity” and they have detected no increase in “momentum” since Russia – believed by UK intelligence to be behind a significant number of global cyber attacks – invaded Ukraine.
The industry group is working with the business and energy department and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), but MI5, the Royal Navy and RAF could be drafted in to assist if the threat escalates.
In the same briefing, OEUK discussed the forthcoming licensing round for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, saying it was necessary in order to maintain current production levels and energy security.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
A fourth leak along the Nord Stream pipelines spewed gas into the Baltic
Market intelligence manager, Ross Dornan, insisted there were “environmental benefits” for the UK from further development in the North Sea basin, including the fact that production methods there are low-emission and that shipping distances are smaller.
Responding to a question from Sky News about the fact fossil fuels are sold on international markets, he said gas tends to be “very local in its consumption,” but acknowledged that oil, which is easier to ship, tends to be exported first and then reimported as goods, since the UK has few refinery and manufacturing facilities.
Campaigners have fiercely opposed new fossil fuel fields in the North Sea, with Cambo being an example of one that ended up in court. The International Energy Agency, says no new fossil fuel production is compatible with the 2050 net zero target.
Mr Dornan said we was confident in the climate compatibility assessments and that “new licensing is compatible with our net-zero requirements”.
Watch the Daily Climate Show at 3.30pm Monday to Friday, and The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Saturday and Sunday at 3.30pm and 7.30pm.
All on Sky News, on the Sky News website and app, on YouTube and Twitter.
The show investigates how global warming is changing our landscape and highlights solutions to the crisis.
UK
Constance Marten and partner guilty of concealing birth of child and perverting course of justice
A family has been left “incredibly distraught” after the death of a four-year-old boy in his garden in Ceredigion in west Wales.
Maldwyn “Gwern” Evans died at his home in Tynreithin, Tregaron, on 20 June.
His family described him as a “keen little farmer” who would be remembered for his “captivating personality”.
“As a family, we are incredibly distraught by our tragic loss, and he will be greatly missed by us and the entire community,” they said in a statement issued through Dyfed-Powys Police.
“He was a loving son and a caring brother, who touched the hearts of so many.
“He lived his short life to the fullest and will be remembered for his captivating personality.
“He was an extremely keen little farmer who had knowledge and ability beyond his years.”
They added: “We would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness at this horrific time.
“It has meant so much to the whole family.”
Read more from Sky News:
Airport chaos branded a ‘shambles’
Arrest in Westminster honeytrap probe
A week on the country’s night buses
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
Dyfed-Powys Police said in a previous statement: “The death is not being treated as suspicious and HM Coroner has been informed.
“Our thoughts are with the family who are receiving support and they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.”
Newly released footage shows the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater continues by both land and air.
The search for the 19-year-old from Lancashire, who is missing in Tenerife, has now entered its tenth day.
He has been missing since Monday 17 June.
The friends he was holidaying with last heard from him at around 8.30am that day.
He told them he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus – a journey of around 11 hours by foot.
The search currently centres on Masca, a mountainous area on the western tip of the island.
The village, which is home to around 90 inhabitants, lies at an altitude of 650m, and is where Mr Slater is believed to have been when he was last heard from.
Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Pic: Guardia Civil/X
Search continues
The footage from Spanish police comes after Mr Slater’s father said the family were being kept in the dark by some officers.
It shows a helicopter searching the mountainous area, with search teams on foot having been joined by sniffer dogs.
They then enter a wooded area and proceed to search the mountainous region.
In one clip, an officer uses binoculars to try and see if there are any signs of the missing teen.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jay Slater’s dad has said police have left him and his family in the dark over the hunt for the missing teen.
The 35-second montage of clips was posted on the X social media platform on the Guardia Civil account.
“We continue with the search for the young British man missing in Tenerife,” police said in the post on Tuesday night.
“Different Guardia Civil units from the area participate, joined by agents, with their dogs specialised in searching for people, from Madrid.”
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
But The Times reports that the dogs have not been given a piece of Mr Slater’s clothing for them to pick up a scent.
Cadaver dogs have been trained to pick up the scent of human remains without the need for a specific prompt.
Read more:
Hiker rescued by police searching for Jay Slater
Online sleuths wade into hunt
Mayor Emilio Jose Navarro told the Reuters news agency that some locals have been interviewed by police.
That includes some who claim they saw Mr Slater watching Euro matches on the coast.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports3 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Environment1 year agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports8 months agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment1 year agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Environment1 year agoTesla advances Powerwall pilot project with German electric company