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Business Round-Up: Greenpeace takes over North Sea platform to protest against Danish oil production

Dave Smith
August 19th, 2020


This article is more than 4 years old.

Four Greenpeace Denmark activists swim half a kilometre to scale unmanned platform and install artwork

Activists have installed an art installation on the platform, which includes the word B’OIL’ING

French oil giant Total has suspended production on its Dan Bravo platform after four Greenpeace Denmark activists swam 500 metres from the Rainbow Warrior ship to the North Sea platform on Tuesday, where they have unveiled a huge art installation.

Although the platform is unmanned, the company chose to halt production due to security reasons, it said.

Celebrity support
In a statement, Greenpeace Denmark said that the action is aimed at exposing government “hypocrisy” in championing green issues while reaping the financial benefits of fossil fuel production.

Speaking from the oil rig, Danish activist Ida Marie said: “I really hope that we will somehow be able to put some pressure on the politicians to make them take the responsibility that they haven’t taken so far to make our society more sustainable and less harmful. There is simply no way Denmark can defend continued exploration of new oil.”

Their action has received worldwide support – most notably from actors Jane Fonda, Emma Thompson and Jason Mamoa.

Significant losses
According to Total, the platform produces 5,500 barrels of oil every day, and the shutdown will cause significant losses for parent company Danish Underground Consortium (DUC).

The activists have enough supplies to remain on the platform for “many days”, Greenpeace Denmark said.

The Rainbow Warrior is not the same vessel famously sunk by French forces in July 1985. The name has been in constant use since 1978, and the current ‘Rainbow Warrior’ has been in operation since 2011.


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