Shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie has called for the UK Government to go further than approving the Jackdaw oil and gas field, urging “maximum economic recovery” from the North Sea. Speaking to BBC’s Radio Scotland Breakfast, the Tory MP said the UK should “get everything” it can from its fossil fuel reserves to reduce reliance on foreign imports and lower emissions.
Bowie Backs Drilling Everywhere Conceivable
Bowie, the MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, argued that domestic drilling would save thousands of jobs, particularly in and around Aberdeen, and enhance energy security. “Let’s get on and get what we can out of the North Sea as we move towards a more sustainable future,” he said. The former energy minister called for “maximum economic recovery from the North Sea” and backed drilling “everywhere that is conceivable”. He added that the UK should “recover what we can that is economically viable to maintain the UK’s oil and gas bases, saving jobs, maximising revenue for the Treasury and making us more energy secure”.
Jackdaw and Rosebank Fields Under Consideration
Industry regulator the North Sea Transition Authority is considering approving a revised application for the Jackdaw field off the coast of Aberdeen, as well as the Rosebank field off Shetland. Adura, the joint venture between Shell and Equinor behind Jackdaw, has warned of potential winter fuel shortages if the field is not approved. Chief executive Neil McCulloch told BBC News that approval is “hyper critical”, stating: “If I were the secretary of state for energy security and net zero, I’d be looking closely at where’s my next source of energy security, and you’re standing on it. The wells are drilled, they’re hooked up. We’re just readying the systems. It will be ready for the 1st of October. Jackdaw will play a vital part of this winter’s gas supply.”
Environmental Opposition
Environmental campaigners have pushed back, arguing Jackdaw would provide only 2% of the UK’s gas demand over its 12-year lifetime and would have no impact on energy bills. Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said: “The only way to insulate ourselves from price shocks is to double down on renewables and upgrade homes to get us off gas. This is just common sense in today’s world, particularly when we also know that fossil fuels are what is driving these more frequent and intense heatwaves in the UK.” The UK Government has been approached for comment.
