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Equinor suspends UK North Sea Rosebank sale ahead of British election, sources say

Norwegian energy giant Equinor has suspended efforts to sell a stake in the giant Rosebank oil development in the UK North Sea due to financial uncertainty ahead of next month's election in Britain, sources near to the matter stated on Friday.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month called for a. snap election on July 4. The opposition Labour celebration commands a. clear lead over Sunak's Conservative party in surveys.

Equinor earlier this year released the sale of a 20% stake. in the $3.8 billion Rosebank oil advancement, the largest. project in the ageing basin in the last few years.

The process, nevertheless, was suspended in recent days due to. much uncertainty over the future tax in the basin, two. sources near the procedure said.

An Equinor spokesperson declined to comment.

The Rosebank job to establish among the last recognized major. oil reservoirs has actually been a lightning rod for climate activists. requiring a stop to fossil fuel production activity.

The Labour celebration stated in its manifesto released on Thursday. that it will stop new oil and gas exploration licences and. increase by 3 percentage points a windfall tax very first imposed on. oil and gas business in 2022 after energy prices increased. following Russia's intrusion of Ukraine.

The current 35% windfall tax, which will run until 2029,. brings the total tax burden on manufacturers to 75%, among the. greatest worldwide.

Labour likewise swore to scrap the so-called investment. allowance, which exempts most revenues that are re-invested in. oil and gas production.

We'll require a lot of clarity from the new government before. the process can release again, one source stated.

The Norwegian company presently holds an 80% stake in. Rosebank, while Ithaca Energy holds the staying 20%.

The British federal government gave Equinor the consent to develop. Rosebank last September.

(source: Reuters)