Oil firm aims to extend Dorset coast drilling despite marine life risk

Environment groups oppose licence for Corallian Energy extractions along protected coastline running to March

An oil company drilling off the Dorset coastline is attempting to extend its licence into the spring, challenging the conditions imposed to protect the sea's many sensitive wildlife species.

Corallian Energy has set up a rig visible from the protected coastline and in close proximity to 58 marine and coastal protected areas. Sensitive and protected species offshore include bottlenose dolphins, seahorses, rays and breeding populations of seabirds including sandwich terns and little terns.