Key facts
- Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to approve new North Sea oil and gas drilling projects.
- The planned approvals include the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field.
- Burnham's government may not be able to formally approve the projects before public consultations conclude.
- Environmentalists and some on the left of the Labour party oppose the drilling on environmental grounds.
- Trade unions and some on the right of the Labour party support new exploration.
Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is poised to approve new drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea within days of taking office, as part of an initial policy push. Reports indicate his team has requested civil service plans for approving drilling projects at the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field, as well as expanding 'tie-backs' for further drilling near existing fields. These fields are operated by Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Equinor.
While a final decision has not been made, Burnham is reportedly receptive to colleagues' requests for a policy shift on North Sea exploration, particularly from Scottish Labour MPs. The future of these projects has been a point of contention, with current energy secretary Ed Miliband opposing them on grounds of undermining the net-zero agenda. Both Jackdaw and Rosebank projects have faced legal challenges, with previous approvals overturned by courts. Public consultations for both sites were launched on Thursday, which could complicate formal approval by Burnham's government.
Adura's chief executive, Neil McCulloch, stated that approving both sites would "unlock significant benefits" for the UK, including enhanced energy security. However, new drilling is expected to draw criticism from environmentalists and some within the Labour party, while receiving support from trade unions and those on the party's right. Sharon Graham of Unite the Union has previously described banning new licenses as "monumental political self-harm," and Chancellor Rachel Reeves has expressed support for exploration at both sites.
An official suggested that approving these fields would not violate Labour's pledge to ban new exploration licenses, as they were granted under the previous Conservative government. The final decision on ministerial appointments, including the energy secretary, will rest with Burnham, who is set to take office next Monday.