Britain approved production at the North Sea's Jackdaw gas field on Oct. 21 after finding its emissions would significantly affect the environment, while projecting little benefit for household energy bills.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh agreed that the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) could issue consent. The regulator then authorized Adura Operations Limited to develop and produce gas from the already licensed field.
The government's decision estimates that Jackdaw could produce up to 4 million cubic meters of gas a day at its projected peak in 2027/28, about 6% of production from the UK continental shelf. On a day of peak demand, the field would account for less than 1% of all gas available in Britain, the assessment says.
Britain is expected to remain a net gas importer throughout Jackdaw's operating life of up to 11 years. The government says global markets largely determine gas prices, so it expects the project to have no material effect on consumer bills.
Adura estimates the development would create 27 full-time-equivalent roles and retain 273 existing jobs at the Shearwater hub that it says would otherwise be lost. Prime Minister Andy Burnham pointed to employment and winter gas supply in endorsing the approval.
The decision assigns moderate adverse weight to emissions from producing and burning Jackdaw's gas and moderate negative weight to a possible effect on Britain's climate leadership. It concludes the field would not keep Britain from meeting its carbon budgets or its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Danny Gross said the project “will slow down the shift to cheaper, cleaner energy.”
Scotland's Court of Session ruled the original consent unlawful in January 2025 after finding that the environmental review did not account for emissions from using the gas. The new consent follows an assessment of those emissions.
The government expects gas to reach British homes and businesses as early as the end of October, provided development work is completed. Rosebank, a separate oil and gas project, has no announced decision date.
