The UK Government is facing renewed pressure over the future of North Sea oil and gas production as the public consultation on Shell’s Jackdaw gas field closes.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham must now weigh calls from environmental campaigners to reject the development against demands from industry figures, trade unions and opposition politicians who say progress is needed to protect jobs, investment and energy security.
Jackdaw, located around 150 miles east of Aberdeen, and Equinor’s Rosebank oil field, north-west of Shetland, were previously approved under the Conservative government. However, those approvals were quashed following a legal challenge brought by Greenpeace, meaning Labour will now have to decide whether fresh consent should be granted. The Rosebank consultation is due to close a week after Jackdaw’s.
The debate comes amid another spell of extreme summer weather, with campaigners arguing that further fossil-fuel development would conflict with the UK’s climate commitments.
Lang Banks, director of WWF Scotland, said there was “a clear choice to be made by our politicians: further fuel climate chaos, or support a fair transition to a safer future”.
He added that approving developments which could accelerate climate change while doing little to reduce household bills would be “irresponsible.”
Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, Ami McCarthy, also urged ministers to maintain Labour’s commitment against new oil and gas development.
“Trying to squeeze the last few drops of expensive oil and gas out of the North Sea while the world is reeling from climate impacts is beyond ridiculous,” she said.
“The Government should hold fast on their no new oil and gas commitment. We need true investment in the clean energy industries of the future, which are our only dependable path to good jobs, lower bills, and long-term prosperity.”
Supporters of the projects take a different view, arguing that domestic production remains important while the country still relies on oil and gas. Andy Burnham has said the UK “can’t ignore” North Sea resources and has pledged a “pragmatic approach” to the issue.
Labour MP Graeme Downie said a managed decline of the sector should protect workers while enabling the transition to lower-carbon industries.
“If we do not proceed with Jackdaw and Rosebank, investment will leave the UK, jobs will disappear and expertise will be lost,” he said. “We also risk shattering the foundations of our industry and destroying the very skills we need to deliver a low-carbon future for the UK.”
In Case You Missed it:
Jackdaw consultation opens as Adura urges support for UK Energy Security
OEUK response to public consultation on £10.8 billion Rosebank and Jackdaw energy projects
AGCC warns UK cannot afford further North Sea uncertainty after BP exit decision
Uncertainty looms Over North Sea Green Energy future as key Carbon Tax faces axe
However, Labour’s internal divisions are becoming increasingly visible. Norwich South MP Clive Lewis has warned that allowing production at the two sites would represent “a major step backwards”, while Green Party leader Zack Polanski called potential approval “a dereliction of duty.”
A Government spokesperson said the North Sea remained “a vital national asset”, adding that oil and gas would continue to play a role in the energy system for decades alongside renewables, nuclear power and other low-carbon technologies.
The outcome will be closely watched across Scotland’s energy communities, where the decision has implications not only for jobs and investment, but also for the credibility of the Government’s wider climate and energy strategy.
