Flotta terminal operators Elf Exploratlon are among 15 oil companies lining up aiongside the Government today, Thursday, in a High Court case initiated by Greenpeace.

The case centres around the issuing of 17th round licences for oil exploration in the Atlantic Frontier region. Greenpeace have accused the Government of acting unlawfully by issuing the licences, while failing to consider their responsibilities under EC environmental directives.

The environmental group are seeking leave for a full Judicial Review, as well as suspension of all oil exploration activity pending the outcome of the case.

Executive director of Greenpeace, Peter Melchett, said: "This fight is over an ocean wilderness that is home to whales, dolphins and a world heritage site for birds as well as deep cold water coral."

A spokesman for the UK Oil Operators Association said that from the industry's point of view they were not on trial and it was the Government that the environmentalists were challenging.

"More than anything else, we want to get the uncertainty this is causing cleared up as soon as possible."