DIRECT ACTION AT SEA: GREENPEACE DEFENDS ROCKALL SEAS AGAINST OIL EXPLORATION
London, 23 June 1997
The Greenpeace vessel the MV Greenpeace has taken direct action in the North East Atlantic near Rockall, to prevent a seismic testing vessel from beginning the first phase of oil exploration in the area.
With a firm message of saving the climate, the MV Greenpeace launched three inflatables containing ten activists to prevent the 'Pacific Horizon' from carrying out seismic testing in tranche 36, around 180 nautical miles North East of Rockall, off the Hebrides.
The MV Greenpeace approached the 'Pacific Horizon' at 12.49 hours today, the ship indicated that it would continue its seismic testing activity. The Greenpeace then launched inflatables and said that it would put activists into the water if the air guns used as part of the testing were fired. At 13.10 hours, after further discussion, the 'Pacific Horizon' said that it would not carry out the seismic testing while Greenpeace inflatables remained near its 8 kilometre long testing array. Three inflatables continue to follow the testing ship to prevent it beginning its tests.
The Pacific Horizon was intending to carry out seismic surveying for the oil company Texaco in an area of the Atlantic Frontier licensed during the 17th offshore licensing round. Seismic testing is the first phase in the exploration for new oil. An array of streamers is pulled behind the survey vessel carrying air guns and recording equipment. The airguns emit explosions reaching 250 decibels to survey the rock formation of the ocean bed.
Greenpeace has been opposing new oil developments in the Atlantic Frontier on the grounds of climate change. The environmental organisation argues that there is already four times more fossil fuels in reserve than can ever be burnt without causing irreparable damage to the climate.
Speaking from on board the MV Greenpeace, Campaign Director Chris Rose said, "Seismic testing is where it all starts, its is the first phase in a process which leads directly to the emission of CO2. Our own Prime Minister speaking in New York today will agree that emissions of CO2 from fossil fuels have to be radically reduced. How then can he encourage the search for yet more oil? It is not just hypocritical to do so, it is incredible, the stupidity of it defies belief."
Greenpeace believes that all exploratory work in the area covered by the 17th licensing round is unlawful because the Government failed to ensure that full environmental impact assessments had been carried out prior to this development. An official complaint by Greenpeace about this breach of European law is currently being considered by the European Commission. The environmental organisation has also threatened the UK Government with legal action over its alleged failure to consider the Habitat's Directive in relation to coral reefs in the area.
Greenpeace has previously been in communication with Texaco about the company's plans to seismic test in this tranche. On June 18th Greenpeace wrote to Chair of Texaco Don Bennett explaining that the MV Greenpeace had made contact with the Pacific Horizon and asked it to cease its activity. The letter asked the company to agree to cease its exploration in the area. In a reply on the 20th June Mr Bennett failed to give this agreement. Today the activities of its vessel were stopped by Greenpeace.
A banner on the MV Greenpeace read "Enough CO2. Sky Full. Go Solar".
Flags on the inflatables continuing to prevent seismic testing read "No New Oil".
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Greenpeace Press Office on +44 (0)171-865 8255/6/7/8 or 0171-359 4837