UK Oil & Gas PLC (LSE:UKOG) has submitted a retrospective planning application to Surrey County Council for its Horse Hill oil field, seeking to reinstate the full production consent originally granted in 2019.
The move follows a 2024 ruling by the UK Supreme Court, which determined that the earlier approval was unlawful due to the omission of downstream greenhouse gas emissions from the environmental assessment.
Revised Submission Addresses Environmental Requirements
After the court decision, UK Oil & Gas halted production at Horse Hill in October 2024. Since then, the company has worked with regulators and planning specialists to prepare a revised application.
The updated submission includes new ecological and environmental studies, technical documentation, and a detailed evaluation of emissions linked to the end use of extracted hydrocarbons—addressing the issues raised by the court.
Restart Could Support Energy Transition Strategy
If approved, the application would allow production at Horse Hill to resume on a stable basis, restoring a key revenue stream for the company. UK Oil & Gas has indicated that future income from the field would be reinvested into its transition strategy, including hydrogen storage and other low-carbon energy projects.
This approach reflects the group’s aim to balance ongoing oil and gas operations with participation in the UK’s broader energy transition.
More About UK Oil & Gas PLC
UK Oil & Gas PLC is an AIM-listed energy company focused on onshore oil and gas production in the United Kingdom.
The company holds a significant operated interest in the Horse Hill field in Surrey and is expanding into clean energy initiatives, including planned hydrogen storage developments and other low-carbon projects in regions such as Dorset and Yorkshire.
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