摘要: |
Though most European oil majors sound like they want to be defined as anything but, that didn't stop them from being the most prolific bidders in the latest Gulf of Mexico lease sale. Some of the continent's largest multinational players are devaluing what was once their core reason for being in favor of increased investments in wind, solar, biofuels and similar renewable energy sources. Most have committed to complying with the European Union (EU) directive to be "climate-neutral" by 2050, which is in line with the 2016 Paris Agreement. However, the U.S. operating arms of three of Europe's largest majors were the top bidders for the mostly deepwater blocks offered in the Nov. 18 federal lease offering, according to a post-sale ranking by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The Netherlands-based Shell led all of the 23 operators participating with just under $28 million in high bids, followed in order by Norway's Equinor at about $22 million and the UK's BP at more than $17 million. |