Seven activists arrested after rig protest in Scotland

January 7, 2020, by Offshore Energy Today

Seven people have reportedly been arrested after taking part in a protest against the oil and gas industry by climbing on a Valaris-owned and Shell-chartered jack-up rig destined for the North Sea.

As reported on Monday, activists from the environmental organization Extinction Rebellion occupied the Valaris JU-122 jack-up rig located in Dundee harbor. The rig is currently contracted by Shell for operations in the North Sea.

The activists scaled the rig with an intention to stay up there for as long as possible to stop the rig leaving the harbor, and to halt the rig’s operations in the North Sea.

However, the environmental group said later on Monday that the activists had left the rig due to deteriorating weather conditions.

These activists had one chance, and they took it. In the end, it was too dangerous to carry on. Others don’t get to choose what danger they are in. The climate crisis, driven by fossil fuel emissions, is putting millions, potentially billions in grave danger.

— Extinction Rebellion Scotland ? (@ScotlandXr) January 6, 2020

According to BBC, the three female protesters that climbed the rig on Monday came down five hours later. The news agency also said that a total of seven people had been arrested.

BBC also reported that seven people had been charged in connection with an “occupation” at a drilling rig at the Port of Dundee. Three women, aged 25, 27, and 35, and four men aged 21, 23, 24, and 31 are expected to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court later, BBC said.

Despite the quick closure of the rig protest and the subsequent arrests, Extinction Rebellion said that this was just the beginning.

This is just the beginning of Rig Rebellion 2.0, Extinction Rebellion Scotland’s series of actions focussing on the fossil fuel industry and its driving role in the climate crisis. Actions are planned across Scotland for the next fortnight.

— Extinction Rebellion Scotland ? (@ScotlandXr) January 6, 2020

Offshore Energy Today Staff

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