Fahnbulleh Leans Against Rosebank Oilfield — SkimNews
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- Miatta Fahnbulleh is leaning toward refusing Rosebank, saying Jackdaw’s rationale does not apply because the gasfield serves the domestic market while Rosebank’s oil is mainly for export.
- Jackdaw gasfield won approval on Wednesday and is due to begin producing gas within weeks; Fahnbulleh accepted an estimated 36 million tonnes of emissions as consistent with the UK’s transition and energy-security needs.
- Rosebank oilfield would emit about seven times the carbon of Jackdaw, and Fahnbulleh believes its mainly exported output contributes less to UK energy security.
- Andy Burnham is expected to make the final call if ministers conflict, with a decision anticipated before the end of this year.
- John Healey said oil and gas revenues would contribute to a new energy wealth fund, while Fahnbulleh said it would receive £2bn in the budget without specifying which tax revenues or how much it would generate.
- Labour pledged in its 2024 manifesto to ban new North Sea drilling licences, but the companies behind Jackdaw and Rosebank are seeking approval for existing licences.
- Labour MPs discussed forcing or encouraging a parliamentary vote if Rosebank were approved, while most were prepared to accept the argument for Jackdaw as part of the net-zero transition.
Why it matters: The case for rejection rests on Rosebank’s projected emissions being about seven times Jackdaw’s 36 million tonnes, while Andy Burnham holds the final call if ministers conflict and a decision is anticipated before year-end. Labour MPs already discussed forcing or encouraging a parliamentary vote if Rosebank were approved, showing where institutional dissent would land.
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