France: appeal rejected for oil drilling in Seine-et-Marne

The Melun administrative court rejects Eau de Paris' application for interim relief against the extension of an oil well in Seine-et-Marne, deeming the emergency unjustified.

Share:

Conflit Forage Pétrole Seine-et-Marne

The administrative court in Melun has rejected Eau de Paris’s application for interim injunction. This appeal concerns the extension of an oil well in Seine-et-Marne. This rejection is based on the lack of urgency. Bridge Energies, operator of the Nonville oil concession since 2009, obtained an extension of its concession from 10 to 53 km², authorized by a prefectoral decree in January.

Extension context

Bridge Energies has obtained authorization to extend its concession following a government decision at the end of 2023. The Seine-et-Marne prefect’s decree authorized the extension work, which was contested by Paris City Council through its operator, Eau de Paris. The mayor’s office is concerned about the risk of polluting the nearby Villeron and Villemer drinking water catchments that supply the capital.

The court’s arguments

The court pointed out that drilling work could not begin before May 2025, due to the current unavailability of some of the necessary equipment. In view of this timeframe, the court ruled that Eau de Paris’s request for suspension was not justified by a situation of urgency, a necessary condition for ruling in summary proceedings.

Position of eau de Paris

Eau de Paris, via its president Dan Lert, reacted by emphasizing that the organization would remain vigilant and could lodge a new suspensive injunction if work began. The operator’s objective remains the definitive abandonment of drilling projects, perceived as a threat to water sources in Seine-et-Marne and Paris.

Business prospects

The case will now be investigated further, with a decision on the merits expected in several months’ time. The administrative court has not yet ruled on the legality of the contested order. In the meantime, Eau de Paris remains vigilant, with the possibility of further legal action depending on future developments.

Impact on water resources

Eau de Paris’ main concern is the possible pollution of the drinking water catchments essential to the capital’s supply. Bridge Energies’ wells, located close to water catchments, could potentially contaminate these sources in the event of failure or poor management of the boreholes.
The decision by the administrative court in Melun represents a milestone in the legal battle over the extension of oil drilling in Seine-et-Marne. Eau de Paris’ vigilance and the forthcoming investigation will determine the final outcome of this conflict of interest between energy development and the protection of water resources.

The Canadian government is now awaiting a concrete private-sector proposal to develop a new oil pipeline connecting Alberta to the Pacific coast, following recent legislation intended to expedite energy projects.
Petrobras is exploring various strategies for its Polo Bahia oil hub, including potentially selling it, as current profitability is challenged by oil prices around $65 per barrel.
Brazilian producer Azevedo & Travassos will issue new shares to buy Petro-Victory and its forty-nine concessions, consolidating its onshore presence while taking on net debt of about USD39.5mn.
Major oil producers accelerate their return to the market, raising their August quotas more sharply than initially expected, prompting questions about future market balances.
Lindsey refinery could halt operations within three weeks due to limited crude oil reserves, according to a recent analysis by energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, highlighting an immediate slowdown in production.
The flow of crude between the Hamada field and the Zawiya refinery has resumed after emergency repairs, illustrating the mounting pressure on Libya’s ageing pipeline network that threatens the stability of domestic supply.
Libreville is intensifying the promotion of deep-water blocks, still seventy-two % unexplored, to offset the two hundred thousand barrels-per-day production drop recorded last year, according to GlobalData.
The African Export-Import Bank extends the Nigerian oil company’s facility, providing room to accelerate drilling and modernisation by 2029 as international lenders scale back hydrocarbon exposure.
Petronas begins a three-well exploratory drilling campaign offshore Suriname, deploying a Noble rig after securing an environmental permit and closely collaborating with state-owned company Staatsolie.
Swiss commodities trader Glencore has initiated discussions with the British government regarding its supply contract with the Lindsey refinery, placed under insolvency this week, threatening hundreds of jobs and the UK's energy security.
Facing an under-equipped downstream sector, Mauritania partners with Sonatrach to create a joint venture aiming to structure petroleum products distribution and reduce import dependency, without yet disclosing specific investments.
Oil companies may reduce their exploration and production budgets in 2025, driven by geopolitical tensions and financial caution, according to a new report by U.S. banking group JP Morgan.
Commercial oil inventories in the United States rose unexpectedly last week, mainly driven by a sharp decline in exports and a significant increase in imports, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
TotalEnergies acquires a 25% stake in Block 53 offshore Suriname, joining APA and Petronas after an agreement with Moeve, thereby consolidating its expansion strategy in the region.
British company Prax Group has filed for insolvency, putting hundreds of jobs at its Lindsey oil site at risk, according to Sky News.
Orlen announces the definitive halt of its Russian oil purchases for the Czech Republic, marking the end of deliveries by Rosneft following the contract expiry, amid evolving logistics and diversification of regional supply sources.
Equinor and Shell launch Adura, a new joint venture consolidating their main offshore assets in the United Kingdom, aiming to secure energy supply with an expected production of over 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Equinor announces a new oil discovery estimated at between 9 and 15 mn barrels at the Johan Castberg field in the Barents Sea, strengthening the reserve potential in Norway's northern region.
Sierra Leone relaunches an ambitious offshore exploration campaign, using a 3D seismic survey to evaluate up to 60 potential oil blocks before opening a new licensing round as early as next October.
Faced with recurrent shortages, Zambia is reorganising its fuel supply chain, notably issuing licences for operating new tanker trucks and service stations to enhance national energy security and reduce external dependence.