on 3 march 2015, l1 energy purchased 100% of dea, an international exploration and production company owned by the german utility rwe, for us$7 billion (€5.1 billion). rwe dea had total natural gas production output of 2.6bn cubic metres in 2013. the deal was approved by germany and seven other national and supranational authorities, including the european union and ukraine. despite this, the l1 purchase of rwe dea was opposed by uk energy and climate change secretary ed davey, who "raised concerns" that sanctions might "force l1 energy to shut down production in the north sea, imperiling oil supplies" and 5% of britain's north sea natural gas output.