Twenty four licences have been offered to seventeen companies, including industry leaders

Of the 64 offshore sites awarded licenses by the North Sea Transition Authority, 17 blocks overlap with MPAs, according to recent analysis by Greenpeace

Energy Minister Claire Coutinho states that the approval of new North Sea drilling licences will contribute to the reduction of the UK’s energy import dependence

The UK has offered licenses for carbon storage sites to successful applicants – these sites have the potential to store up to 10% of the country’s annual emissions

The move is believed to be the first stage of the potential reopening of the UK’s largest gas storage facility

The North Sea Transition Authority said the company breached five field production consents