{"id":22551,"date":"2019-06-18T17:10:10","date_gmt":"2019-06-18T17:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=22551"},"modified":"2019-11-25T14:10:36","modified_gmt":"2019-11-25T13:10:36","slug":"greenpeace-ship-forces-bp-oil-rig-into-third-u-turn-away-from-major-north-sea-drill-site","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/press-release\/22551\/greenpeace-ship-forces-bp-oil-rig-into-third-u-turn-away-from-major-north-sea-drill-site\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenpeace ship forces BP oil rig into THIRD U-turn away from major North Sea drill site"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scotland, UK – Greenpeace activists have forced the third U-turn of a BP-operated rig away from a major oil drilling site in the North Sea, blocking the oil giant\u2019s operation for the 10th day in a row.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just a few miles from the drilling site and having travelled more than 500 nautical miles back and forth since Saturday, the rig performed yet another U-turn and is now heading back towards the shore.<\/span><\/p>\n

Two rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBS) have been deployed from Greenpeace ship, the Arctic Sunrise, with activists on board holding banners reading \u2018Climate Emergency\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since Saturday, the Arctic Sunrise has remained between the 27,000-tonne rig and the Vorlich drill field off the coast of Scotland where BP is planning to drill a new well to access 30 million barrels of oil.<\/span><\/p>\n

BP has now been prevented from drilling the well for ten days. Climate activists held the rig in Cromarty Firth for seven days from Sunday June 9 until last Friday. On Saturday, the Arctic Sunrise arrived to pursue the oil rig as it was towed out to sea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eleven Greenpeace UK activists have been arrested so far, five appeared at Tain Sheriff Court yesterday charged with breach of the peace and were released on bail. Three freelance photographers were also arrested but subsequently released.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis oil rig is stuck in a loop, much like BP\u2019s business model but we\u2019re not here to play games. There\u2019s only one U-turn BP urgently needs to make and that\u2019s away from climate-wrecking oil and towards renewable energy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a growing global movement calling for an end to the oil age for the sake of our health, our planet and our future. We\u2019re determined to use every peaceful means available to stop this rig.\u201d said Sarah North, Greenpeace International climate activist on the Arctic Sunrise.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite BP claiming that its business is compatible with the Paris climate agreement, Greenpeace argues BP\u2019s operations are in direct opposition to efforts to prevent catastrophic climate change. Evidence for this includes:<\/span><\/p>\n