Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that government processes are delaying approvals for the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields.
- Environmental groups are urging the government to refuse permission for drilling at Jackdaw and Rosebank.
- The oil and gas industry, opposition politicians, and US President Donald Trump have called for approval, citing job protection and potential bill reductions.
- Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Equinor, owns the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields.
- Adura's CEO, Neil McCulloch, stated the projects are of national significance, can strengthen energy security, and generate economic activity and tax revenues.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated that government processes are causing delays in decisions regarding new oil and gas drilling projects in the North Sea, specifically for the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields. Burnham stated he would adopt a "pragmatic approach" to drilling amid calls for its continuation.
The Jackdaw field, a gas field located 150 miles east of Aberdeen, and the Rosebank oil field, situated north-west of Shetland, are both owned by Adura, a joint venture between energy giants Shell and Equinor. Consultations on both fields were set to close in August 2026. Previously, Conservative approvals for these fields were quashed by a court following a challenge from Greenpeace, leaving the current Labour government to make the final decision.
Environmental groups, including Greenpeace UK and WWF Scotland, have urged the government to refuse permission for drilling, citing the fight against climate change and the need for a transition to cleaner energy sources. They argue that North Sea oil and gas would have minimal impact on global prices or energy security while exacerbating climate change.
Conversely, the oil and gas industry, opposition politicians, and US President Donald Trump have advocated for granting permission. They contend that proceeding with drilling would protect jobs, potentially lower energy bills, and strengthen the UK's energy security. Adura's CEO, Neil McCulloch, emphasized the projects' national significance, their potential to generate billions in economic activity and tax revenues, and their lower associated carbon emissions compared to alternatives like imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
David Whitehouse, chief executive of industry body Offshore Energy UK, highlighted that Jackdaw is expected to be one of the lowest emission fields globally and stressed the continued need for oil and gas during the energy transition. He also pointed out the significant employment in the oil and gas sector in Scotland and argued that domestic production has lower emissions than imports.