Nature & Biodiversity > Corporate > Nearly 1,700 active or unplugged oil and gas wells inside UK marine protected areas, report says

Nearly 1,700 active or unplugged oil and gas wells inside UK marine protected areas, report says

Published 00:01 on June 25, 2026 / Last updated at 10:04 on June 23, 2026 / / EMEA (Europe), Nature & Biodiversity (Corporate, Policy), Net Zero Transition (Industrial Decarbonisation)

Nature & Biodiversity Pulse

There are 1,685 oil and gas wells within the UK’s marine protected areas (MPAs), including 825 that are either under construction or currently drilled, according to a report published by a UK charity on Thursday.
There are 1,685 oil and gas wells within the UK’s marine protected areas (MPAs), including 825 that are either under construction or currently drilled, according to a report published by a UK charity on Thursday.


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