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UK government nears approval for Jackdaw gas field

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2026-09-07 09:53 UTC → 2026-09-19 15:40 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The UK government is moving toward formal approval of the Jackdaw gas field, located off the coast of Aberdeen. Operated by the Adura joint venture between Shell and Equinor, the project is expected to meet approximately 6.5% of the UK’s peak gas demand. With infrastructure reportedly 99% complete, gas could begin flowing as early as this winter. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to grant approval as soon as September 15, potentially ending years of legal delays following previous court rulings that rescinded approvals for Jackdaw and Rosebank. While the Prime Minister has signaled a pragmatic approach—stating that oil and gas will remain part of the energy mix for decades while transitioning to clean energy—government sources suggest an expansion of the Rosebank oil field is unlikely to receive similar consent. Opposition remains intense. Climate activists, including groups such as Fossil Free London and Friends of the Earth, have staged demonstrations, calling the decision a “staggering step backwards” that could cause the UK to exceed its carbon budget. Analysts from Wood Mackenzie have also noted that the long-term value of North Sea extraction may be limited, as an estimated 90% of the UK’s commercially viable reserves have already been extracted. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has since signaled support for the Jackdaw field, stating that domestic gas production “made sense” to meet energy needs during the transition to net zero. Davey noted that approval would depend on the project passing a “climate test,” arguing that domestic gas may have a lower carbon footprint than imports.

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