Cabinet split over Rosebank oilfield approval — SkimNews
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- John Healey supports approving the Rosebank oilfield licence, indicating his expectation of oil and gas revenues funding a new energy wealth fund.
- Miatta Fahnbulleh is overseeing the final decision on Rosebank and is reportedly leaning against approval, distinguishing it from the Jackdaw gasfield on climate and energy security grounds.
- Miatta Fahnbulleh stated the Jackdaw rationale does not apply to Rosebank because it is an oilfield primarily for export, unlike Jackdaw’s domestic gas focus.
- The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero emphasized that any decision will consider environmental assessments and public consultation, while affirming North Sea oil and gas will remain important for decades.
- Labour MPs are preparing potential dissent mechanisms, including pushing for a parliamentary vote, if Rosebank is approved, reflecting internal party tensions.
- Miatta Fahnbulleh committed future North Sea revenues to a £2bn energy wealth fund for green projects, though she deferred details on tax sources to the chancellor.
Why it matters: Approving Rosebank would benefit the North Sea industry but risk undermining the UK’s climate credibility, given its emissions are seven times Jackdaw’s and most oil would be exported. Rejecting it would empower climate campaigners and signal stricter alignment between energy policy and carbon budgets.
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