An Opinium survey commissioned by Offshore Energies UK found 65% of 2024 Labour voters support approving North Sea field Rosebank as Parliament considers a bill ending new oil and gas exploration licences.
Opinium surveyed a nationally and politically representative sample of 2,050 UK adults aged 18 and older from Oct. 28 to 30. Among respondents who voted Labour in 2024, 17% said the government should reject the project. Across the full sample, 63% supported its approval, Offshore Energies UK said. The group’s release also reported that 72% of 2024 Labour voters considered oil and gas essential for the foreseeable future.
The Energy Independence Bill was introduced in the House of Commons on Nov. 4. The government says the bill would end new licences to explore new oil and gas fields while supporting production in existing licensed areas. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the measure would help build “a clean energy future.”
The government approved the Jackdaw gas field on Oct. 21, after earlier EconoTimes coverage of an expected decision.
The Scottish Court of Session ruled in January 2025 that Rosebank’s development and production approvals were unlawful because environmental reviews had not counted emissions from burning the extracted oil and gas. The court ordered the decisions quashed but suspended that order until a fresh decision. No oil or gas may be extracted during the suspension. A replacement decision must account for these downstream emissions. The court cited an industry estimate of more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent in recoverable resources and a production life of about 25 years.
Offshore Energies UK Chief Executive David Whitehouse said the findings should inform government consideration of North Sea projects still awaiting decisions. The Independent reported that Uplift Executive Director Tessa Khan argued most of Rosebank’s oil would be exported and the project would not reduce UK energy bills.
Offshore Energies UK said it expects a fresh decision on Rosebank in the coming months.
