Energy B Seeks Oil Drilling After UKOG Sells Horse Hill
Energy B is seeking permission to extract oil from the Horse Hill site after UK Oil and Gas sold the field at a massive loss.
The company Energy B is seeking permission from Surrey County Council to extract nearly 700,000 tonnes of oil over 20 years from the Horse Hill oilfield site in Surrey. This application follows the divestment of the site by UK Oil and Gas Investments, which sold the field for £1 million despite investing more than £25 million.
UK Oil and Gas Investments rebranded as UK Energy Group to focus on clean energy projects, including salt-cavern energy storage, after a 2024 Supreme Court ruling. Known as the Finch Ruling, the court decision required planning authorities to consider indirect downstream greenhouse gas emissions when evaluating project expansions.
Energy B argues that the project will enhance UK energy security. However, campaigner Sarah Finch and the Weald Action Group contest the new application, claiming the environmental assessment is legally non-compliant and fails to place emissions in a cumulative context. Surrey County Council is expected to reach a decision on the drilling request this month.
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