Marra urges Fahnbulleh to approve Rosebank — SkimNews
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- Marra appealed directly to Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh to approve Rosebank, saying the field was crucial for Scotland's economy, employment and public finances.
- Fahnbulleh approved production from Jackdaw last week, saying its expected 11-year lifespan would support UK gas supply, protect hundreds of jobs and add £2.9bn to the economy.
- Environmentalists said Jackdaw would hamper efforts to tackle climate change and make "no meaningful difference" to UK energy security, and they have long opposed drilling proposals at Rosebank.
- Rosebank is the UK's largest untapped oil field, 80 miles northwest of Shetland, and its production plans remain at the center of the current political fight.
- Labour came to power in 2024 promising not to allow new North Sea drilling, but Rosebank and Jackdaw are adjudications of existing licences rather than applications for new drilling licences; the internal debate reflects greater policy flexibility.
- Fahnbulleh described Rosebank as a regulatory rather than policy process and said the decision was hers alone; Budget-week reports said Chancellor Healey favored approval, although neither minister had publicly stated a position.
- Scottish Government cautiously welcomed Jackdaw, marking a move away from its previous presumption against new North Sea oil and gas drilling.
Why it matters: Labour's 2024 pledge not to allow new North Sea drilling is now being tested by Rosebank, although the field is an existing-licence case and Fahnbulleh alone will decide it. Jackdaw's claimed 11-year benefits—hundreds of jobs and £2.9bn—have put Scottish investment and public finances alongside climate and energy-security objections.
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