Key facts
- Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey stated he personally has always felt the Jackdaw gas field "made sense" and would support its approval.
- Davey prefers domestically produced gas from Jackdaw over imports with larger carbon footprints, provided it passes climate tests.
- The UK government is expected to decide on the controversial Jackdaw gas field project soon.
- Environmental groups argue that approving more drilling would hinder efforts to cut carbon emissions.
- Industry bodies contend that production from fields like Jackdaw will improve the UK's energy security and boost the economy.
- Jackdaw's owner, Adura, estimates the field could account for 6% of UK gas output at peak production.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has indicated his support for the approval of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, stating it "makes sense" and that he would prefer domestically produced gas over imports if it passes climate tests. The government is expected to make a decision on the controversial project soon, with sources suggesting it could come in mid-September.
Work on Jackdaw and the Rosebank oil field was halted by legal challenges on climate grounds. A judge ruled in 2023 that their initial approval was unlawful because the government had failed to fully consider the climate impact of burning the extracted fossil fuels. Further estimates on climate impact were released for consultation in July, and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is expected to make separate decisions on both sites.
Adura, the joint venture between Shell and Norway's Equinor that operates Jackdaw, estimates the field could produce 35.8 million tonnes of carbon over its 11-year lifetime, though a more likely estimate is 23.6 million tonnes. The company also stated that if approved in September, Jackdaw could begin supplying gas to UK homes by this winter, as construction is "99% complete".
Environmental campaigners argue that approving further drilling would undermine efforts to reduce carbon emissions and that a faster transition to green technologies would be more beneficial for jobs. Conversely, industry bodies assert that the fields will enhance the UK's energy security, particularly amid global conflicts, and provide much-needed jobs. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for a "pragmatic approach" to domestic oil and gas use, acknowledging its necessity during the transition to greener energy sources.