The UK Government's approval of drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea has drawn criticism from environmental campaigners, even as Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh backed the scheme, which is expected to start supplying gas to British homes and firms within weeks.
Approval and Expected Supply
Ms Fahnbulleh agreed that regulator the North Sea Transition Authority could approve the scheme, with gas expected to start flowing by the end of the month. The decision ends months of speculation about the project's future, which owner Adura said could deliver around 6% of UK North Sea gas production.
Ms Fahnbulleh said the move will "support the country's energy security with homegrown gas this winter," although she acknowledged it would not bring down household bills. She is now under pressure to approve the separate Rosebank oil and gas field as a further sign of commitment to the North Sea and domestic energy production.
Political and Industry Reactions
Andy Burnham said the decision will "protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm," but stressed it would not hinder the Government's targets on renewable energy. He said: "At a time when people are really struggling, it's right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help."
Neil McCulloch, chief executive of Adura, the joint venture between Shell and Norway's Equinor behind both schemes, called for Rosebank to also be approved. He said: "Jackdaw represents a significant prize in its own right: £2.1 billion of investment and enough gas to heat the equivalent of around 1.4 million UK homes at peak production."
Environmental Criticism
Greenpeace UK's head of politics, Ami McCarthy, said: "Approving Jackdaw shows the toxic grip fossil fuel lobbyists still hold over our energy policy." She added that the project won't lower energy bills or boost energy security and will create just 27 full-time jobs.
Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski described the decision as "climate vandalism," saying: "Today's decision by Labour is a betrayal of all of our futures." Tessa Khan, executive director of campaign group Uplift, said Labour's climate credibility is "on the line now" with Rosebank becoming the defining test.
Background and Next Steps
The Jackdaw project and the Rosebank oil field off Shetland were both approved for drilling licences in June 2022 by the previous Conservative government, but this was overturned by Scottish courts after a challenge from environmental campaigners. Fresh public consultations took place this year and closed in August, with the Government giving the green light to Jackdaw on Wednesday morning.
A decision on Rosebank, the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea, is being made separately. The Government also announced a new fund to funnel North Sea tax revenues into green energy schemes, while the Prime Minister said he was taking a "pragmatic" approach to the North Sea.
