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BP given consent for deep-water well North Uist west of Shetland
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-17479883
BP has been exploring the deep waters west off Shetland since the 1970s
Oil giant BP has been given consent to drill a controversial deep-water well west of Shetland.
The North Uist well is about 125km (78 miles) to the north west of the islands, at a depth of nearly 1,300m.
The UK government's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said it had thoroughly examined BP's environmental impact and emergency response plans.
Environmental organisations have expressed concern at the news.
Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: "Oil and gas plays an important role in our economy and makes a significant contribution to our energy security, but exploration should not come at a cost to the environment.