Professor Bridge has been invited by the Oil and Society research network to present his ongoing work on the oil industry in the British sector of the North Sea. His presentation will draw on joint work with James Marriott (Platform).
The event is open to everyone. The presentation will last for approximately 40 minutes, to be followed by a Q&A. Coffee will be served.
What now for the UK oil complex?
Hydrocarbon production has been a defining feature of the UK North Sea for over half a century, and its future is becoming less certain day by day. In this talk we provide an expanded account of UK oil, extending beyond offshore extraction to include markets, finance, trade, and state capacity. We consider the evolution and durability of this ‘oil complex’ over time and question the significance of recent announcements about offshore extraction in this light.
Gavin Bridge is a professor in the Department of Geography at Durham University. His research focuses on the geographies of resource production and consumption, in particular those associated with old and new 'carbon economies'. He is the co-author of the books Oil and Energy and Society: a critical perspective, as well as numerous articles about energy transition and resource politics.
James Marriott is an artist, activist and naturalist working as part of the internationally renowned group Platform which combines art, education, activism and research to create initiatives focused on social and ecological justice. His book Crude Britannia: How Oil Shaped a Nation (with Terry Macalister, 2021) tells the story of Britain's energy past, present and future.