Britain’s Jackdaw gas field could account for less than 1% of all gas available during a rare peak-demand cold day over its lifetime, the government’s assessment said, limiting its expected contribution during periods of maximum strain.
On Oct. 21, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh agreed that the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) could issue production consent. The regulator then granted consent to Adura to develop and produce gas from the field. The government forecast that Jackdaw could begin supplying homes and businesses by the end of October; the NSTA said production can start after the remaining development work is complete.
Output could reach up to four million cubic meters per day by 2027/28, equivalent to about 6% of UK Continental Shelf gas supply at peak. The government estimates the field could support UK gas supply for up to 11 years, with lifetime output holding energy equivalent to about 40 million barrels of oil.
The government’s five-year average for 2021-25 put UK gas supply at 42% from the UK Continental Shelf, 37% from Norway, 20% from liquefied natural gas and 1% from interconnectors. Its assessment said Jackdaw would not materially change the country’s reliance on imports or energy prices.
The project plan calls for a platform, four wells and a pipeline of about 31 kilometers to the Shearwater platform. Jackdaw is about 250 kilometers from Aberdeen. Adura estimated the project could generate £2.9 billion in gross value added during operations, averaging £230 million a year, create 27 new full-time-equivalent roles and safeguard 273 existing Shearwater jobs.
The government assigned the project’s greenhouse-gas emissions “moderate adverse weight.” The field’s original 2022 consent was later ruled unlawful because its environmental assessment did not account for emissions from burning the gas. The renewed Jackdaw consent and emissions finding followed a fresh assessment after the UK Supreme Court’s 2024 Finch ruling and a subsequent Court of Session decision. First supply remains tied to completion of development work, with the government forecasting gas by the end of October.
