UK ministers poised to approve Jackdaw gasfield — SkimNews
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- Miatta Fahnbulleh is poised to recommend approving the Jackdaw gasfield off Aberdeen as soon as next week, with formal approval from the North Sea Transition Authority potentially following a week later.
- The Rosebank field — the UK's biggest undeveloped at £8.7bn and an estimated 500m barrels — faces a decision later this year, with officials exploring ways to redirect its tax revenues to clean energy projects via the national wealth fund.
- Both Jackdaw and Rosebank had environmental approval rescinded after a court ruled Shell and Equinor must account for carbon emissions from burning extracted oil and gas; the companies resubmitted applications earlier this year.
- Granting permits wouldn't violate Labour's manifesto pledge against new oil and gas licences since both projects already hold licences, though many Labour MPs oppose the projects entirely.
- Donald Trump has urged the prime minister to open the fields, while Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham told MPs this week that workers in north-east Scotland have "struggled with the impact of transition."
- Campaigners estimate the two fields would generate £336bn in economic damage from carbon pollution, while the industry says they would supply 10% of UK oil and gas output at peak.
Why it matters: Shell and Equinor are positioned to win back environmental permits after a court forced them to account for end-use carbon emissions, with campaigners warning of £336bn in climate damage — while Labour MPs split on the projects and officials explore rerouting Rosebank's tax revenue to the national wealth fund.
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