Britain is expected to approve the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, the Press Association reported, putting Labour’s policy on future oil and gas licensing under scrutiny as it weighs domestic energy development.
The Press Association said ministers were expected to announce a decision Wednesday, Oct. 21, and reported that approval was likely. The decision follows a court ruling that found development consents for Jackdaw and Rosebank unlawful because environmental assessments excluded emissions from burning the extracted fuels. The UK government said the ruling did not withdraw the projects’ existing licenses. Ministers are reconsidering the two contested North Sea developments.
Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledged not to issue new oil or gas licenses for the North Sea. Project proponents within the party argue Jackdaw and Rosebank were already in progress before Labour took office, so they should not be treated as new fields. Environmental groups have urged ministers to reject both projects.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said a decision on Rosebank would take “a bit longer.” The field is the North Sea’s largest oil project still awaiting development. Her remarks suggest a separate decision, but no date has been reported for Rosebank.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described his position on North Sea production as pragmatic. U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Burnham to allow more North Sea drilling, saying Britain was “sitting on top of gold.”
Andrew Bowie, the Conservative shadow energy secretary, said approval for Jackdaw should be followed by consent for Rosebank and an end to restrictions on new oil and gas licenses. He argued that the licensing limits and the Energy Profits Levy were discouraging investment and threatening North Sea jobs.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, is the next reported milestone for Jackdaw; Rosebank has no announced timetable.
