Two environmental organisations have been granted permission for a legal challenge on the Rosebank and Jackdaw offshore oil and gasfields.
Greenpeace UK and Uplift are arguing that the impact of emissions from burning the fossil fuels extracted was illegally ignored.
If the challenge is successful, operators would have to resubmit environmental assessments for approval before drilling can begin.
The cases will heard by the Court of Session in Edinburgh on 12 November.
The UK Government said in August that it would not fight any cases over Rosebank and Jackdaw.
This came after the Supreme Court ruled in June that regulators, such as the North Seas Transition Authority (NSTA), must consider the total environmental impact of new projects - including the way fossil fuels are used by end consumers. These are known as Scope 3 emissions.
The Supreme Court's decision could still be challenged by oil companies.
Equinor has not commented on the court challenge, but said it was continuing to "work closely with all relevant parties to progress the project".
Shell said all "relevant concerns and permits" had been put in place for the Jackdaw gas field.
The firm said it would argue that existing consents should remain in place when the case goes before the Court of Session in November.
A spokesperson added: “Jackdaw is a vital project for UK energy security that is already well under way.
"Stopping the work is a highly complex process, with significant technical and safety issues now that infrastructure is in place and drilling has started in the North Sea."