The UK Government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen, with gas expected to begin supplying the UK from this winter. The field was originally licensed in 2022, but consent was withdrawn three years later.
On October 21, it was confirmed that drilling had been given the go-ahead by Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Government, despite Labour's 2024 election manifesto pledge not to issue any new oil and gas licences. Licences for the Jackdaw gas field and the Rosebank oil field, north west of Shetland, were granted earlier, in 2022 and 2023.
Legal Challenge and Approval
Environmental campaigners had launched a legal challenge over the approvals after a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that emissions created by burning fossil fuels should be considered when granting planning permission for new drilling sites. This challenge was upheld at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in January 2025.
In an announcement on Wednesday morning, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Following careful consideration of all relevant factors I have agreed that the regulator can grant consent for gas to be produced at Jackdaw, which will begin to supply the UK with gas from this winter thanks to the highly skilled and vital North Sea workers."
She continued: "This decision will support the country's energy security with homegrown gas this winter and help minimise the UK's use of imported higher emission fuels as we continue our transition to renewables and nuclear."
Government's Position and Reactions
Prime Minister Andy Burnham added: "I welcome the Energy Secretary's decision, which will protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter. 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."
Mr Burnham said the Government remains "committed" to moving towards renewable energy and reaching its net zero target by 2050, but that oil and gas will still be required for "decades to come". "Our approach will ensure we can boost our energy security, back British workers, ringfence future North Sea proceeds to speed up the green transition, hit our ambitious climate targets and - crucially - bring down bills," Mr Burnham said.
Earlier this year, the Guardian reported that the opening of Jackdaw would provide only around two per cent of UK gas demand over its roughly 10 year lifetime. The energy secretary has also confirmed that the opening of Jackdaw will not bring down UK household bills.
Industry and Opposition Response
Tony Nunan, Shell UK chief of staff, said: "Shell welcomes the UK Government's decision on Jackdaw. This is an important step in ensuring the UK North Sea can continue to contribute to the country's energy security and economy." He added: "Long-term energy projects depend on a competitive and stable investment environment, alongside timely and predictable regulatory decisions. We will continue to work constructively with Government and Adura to support secure energy, investment and growth in the UK."
The new drilling has been approved a month before the Prime Minister is expected to join other world leaders at the COP31 climate talks in Turkey. The Rosebank oil field, also located in Scottish waters, remains closed while a decision is made by the Government.
Zack Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, called the decision "climate vandalism" and said: "Today's decision by Labour is a betrayal of all of our futures, Labour has abandoned all credibility in the fight against climate change." He continued: "The energy secretary has herself said it will make no difference to energy bills, the health secretary has admitted the summer heatwave added to pressure on the NHS and the industry's own assessment is that will create only 27 jobs. This is a victory for Shell over the people."
Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: "The approval of Jackdaw will boost Shell's profits while doing nothing to lower bills. The gas will be sold at international market prices, so households stay tied onto the same gas price rollercoaster that has caused the almost constant energy bills crisis we are living through."
Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, commented: "Shell will be cheering this decision but it won't knock a penny off our energy bills, which is what's keeping people up at night, or make a meaningful difference to our gas supply. Jackdaw will provide around just 2% of our gas demand for roughly ten years. It has been oversold and won't stop the decline in North Sea jobs, as it will be largely unmanned and operated remotely."
Uplift has said that while Jackdaw could see over 35 million tonnes of CO2e emitted, the Rosebank oil field, if approved, could release more than 250 million tonnes of additional CO2e, which Uplift says is equivalent to around 70% of the UK's annual emissions.
Kate Norgrove, WWF chief impact officer, said: "This is a disappointing decision and the Government now urgently needs to show that it remains 100% committed to the clean energy transition by rejecting the even more damaging Rosebank oil field."
Impact on UK Households
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland in the minutes after the decision was announced, Ms Fahnbulleh was asked if people will see costs reduced this year. "No, it won't," she said. "I think it's important to say that upfront. But look, the key consideration in coming to this decision was at a time when we are in an energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East. Energy security is really important and this will contribute to the homegrown sources of energy that we have. The project will be able to supply homes and businesses across the country this month – and that's really critical."
