The Government will announce its long-awaited decision on the future of a new gas drilling operation off the coast of Aberdeen on Wednesday, it is understood. The Jackdaw gas field is widely expected to be approved by ministers following months of speculation about its future.
Background to the Decision
The North Sea project is one of two – alongside the Rosebank oil field – which the Labour Government must decide the fate of, after their approval by the previous Conservative administration was halted because of a legal challenge last year.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he would “take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea” since coming to power in the summer. He has faced pressure from environmental groups to “stick to the spirit of Labour’s manifesto commitment” and refuse consent for either of the schemes.
Manifesto Commitment and Pressures
The 2024 manifesto committed to issuing no new oil and gas licences for the North Sea. However, proponents of Jackdaw and Rosebank within the party have argued that neither are new fossil fuel fields, given the wheels were in motion to tap them ahead of Labour winning power.
Mr Burnham has also faced pressure from across the Atlantic to maximise oil and gas production from the North Sea. Donald Trump has claimed the UK is “sitting on top of gold”, and has urged Mr Burnham to approve more drilling in the basin, as he did to former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Separate Decisions Expected
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has said a decision on Rosebank, the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea, will take “a bit longer” – suggesting it will be made separately from Jackdaw.
