12 May 1997

The AF Overview (Putting the Lid on Fossil Fuels) was launched today.

Launch of Sainsbury's solar refrigerated lorry - delivering solar chilled fruit & veg around the UK.

'FOINAVEN SUFFERS SETBACK' headline in Offshore Journal of 8 May. "BP Exploration is understood to have suffered a futher major setback with its Atlantic Frontier development, Foinaven Offshore Journal has now learned that six production well trees are having to be removed from the seafloor for remedial work, including to valve actuation equipment. There has also been talk of further subsea production manifold problems, Depending on how severe this latest setback is, first commercial oil looks like being pushed back several weeks, perhaps months."

The new Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, today released his Mission Statement. Chris says: it doesn't look very dramatic but environment is getting a higher priority and Robin Cook is much more interested in the environment than his predecessors.

A bunch of folk calling themselves BP (Broken Promises?) have just made a delivery of 'oil' (or is it molasses?) to the Dept of Trade & Industry to highlight the dodgy links with the oil industry following the appointment of Sir David Simon (ex-BP) to the DTi.

A group of Shetland fishermen are currently blocking Sullom Voe oil terminal with around 15 boats. One tanker is trapped inside and another is trying to get in. The terminal is run by BP on behalf of a consortium of oil companies

The MV Greenpeace is having solar panels fitted in Lerwick today.

Sarah Burton writing to other oil companies in the AF area (not main operators but their partner cos.)

13 May 1997

The Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) today issued a joint statement of concern from 18 whale experts with an urgent warning about the possible impacts of oil exploration on whales, dolphins and porpoises. They called for greater consideration to be given to the threat to cetaceans from industrial development in the Atlantic Frontier.

A US based organisation called Project Underground is launching an alternative Shell Prospectus today - looks very slick and details Shells operations in Nigeria and Peru.

14 May 1997

On the days of Shell's AGM 'GREENPEACE CALLS ON SHELL TO ABANDON EXPLORATION ON ATLANTIC FRONTIER'.

There's a piece in the FT today "FURTHER SETBACK FOR FOINAVEN OIL FIELD" - "with first production from the country's newest oil region now unlikely for three to four months". Also, a piece in the Scotsman re "The world's top marine scientists have warned that oil exploration in the new Atlantic Frontier north of Scotland could have a devastating effect on whale and dolphin populations". AND - a piece in the Times "OIL TESTING 'GUNS' POSE THREAT TO WHALES".

15 May 1997

Shell launches its Environment Report.

16 May 1997

Sarah Burton has had another letter from BP's Andy Dawson (9th May) in which he says "...the real issue that we need to address is climate change. I believe that the most productive step for us to take...is for BP and GP to meet and discuss our respective views. Therefore, I have asked Peter Scupholme....to contact you to arrange a meeting to allow such an exchange to take place."

Sarah replied today saying that she's glad he accepts the fact that the important issue between BP & GP is about the effects your products (oil) have on the climate. She will be pleased to accept BP's invitation to meet for a discussion about climate change and in the meantime has sent him a copy of Putting the Lid on Fossil Fuels. She also mentions that she's still waiting to hear from him re Simon Reddy visiting the FPSO. There's a big piece in today's Shetland Times "GREENPEACE CALLS FOR HALT OF ATLANTIC OIL PRODUCTION"