A Long-Standing Sea Protest Turns Costly
Shell Group is taking significant legal action against the environmental watchdog Greenpeace, in the form of a staggering $2.1 million lawsuit. This hefty claim is in response to Greenpeace activists’ 13-day protest aboard a floating production storage and offloading unit (FPSO). This unprecedented event stands as one of the largest legal claims ever waged against Greenpeace and is poised to severely impact the organization and its campaigning efforts.
Unsettled Waters over Shell’s Offer
The lawsuit traces back to an incident that transpired just past 2021’s kickoff. Greenpeace protestors managed to board the heavy-load vessel, White Marlin, that was under contract with Shell. The vessel journeyed north of the Canary Islands, escorting Shell’s FPSO towards Penguins, a prominent oil and gas field located in the UK’s North Sea. Shell and Fluor, the builder of the FPSO and a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit, vowed to pursue a court settlement.
Attempts were made to negotiate terms outside the courtroom, with Shell proposing a settlement of over $1.4 million in damages, significantly below their estimated damages of over $8 million. They additionally demanded an indefinite ban on Greenpeace’s protests onboard their sea-bound or port-based structures.
Greenpeace Stands Its Ground
Greenpeace, however, declined Shell’s offer in October, stating their willingness to agree to a protest ban under their own preferred conditions. They proposed Shell abide by a Netherlands court ruling from 2021, which required the company to cut emissions across all operations by 45% come 2030, a substantial decline from 2019 figures.
The True Cost of Securing the Sea
Shell’s London-based oil and gas major claimed in the High Court that the $2.1 million lawsuit reflects the fiscal burdens incurred from obtaining two previous injunctions against the protestors. Additional costs were also incorporated, such as procuring an extra safety vessel. However, the total may rise dauntingly to $8.6 million if Shell’s contractors pursue damages too.
Shell Versus Greenpeace: A Battle of Influence
Characterized by Greenpeace as an ‘intimidation lawsuit’, Shell’s claim represents a significant threat to the Greenpeace network’s campaign capabilities. Given their 50-year history, this case marks one of the most severe legal challenges they’ve faced yet.
According to Greenpeace UK Co-executive Director, Areeba Hamid, Shell is attempting to stamp out Greenpeace’s influential campaigning initiatives. She argued that Shell is thwarting further conversations about climate justice and demanded tighter governmental regulation of Shell.
A Catalyst for Production Potential
Seen from another perspective, the Penguins FPSO vessel is Shell’s first newly operated vessel in the northern North Sea in three decades. The field, in production since 2002, is set for a life extension project, with expectations of delivering up to 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily at peak production.
