UK expected to announce decision on Jackdaw gas field

The UK government is expected to announce on Wednesday whether it will approve the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, a decision that could clarify how ministers intend to handle existing oil and gas licences while ruling out new ones.

Multiple Whitehall sources told BBC News that an announcement was planned for Wednesday morning. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is expected to address MPs in the afternoon. Approval is widely expected in Westminster, while a decision on the Rosebank oil field is not expected yet, the BBC reports. [1]

Jackdaw lies about 150 miles (241km) east of Aberdeen. Its operators say it could be connected to the UK gas network within months. Rosebank, about 80 miles (129km) north-west of Shetland, is described as Britain’s largest untapped oil field and would also produce gas. [1]

The fields have been the subject of legal challenges and public debate. Labour’s 2024 manifesto promised not to issue new North Sea oil and gas licences while honouring existing ones such as Jackdaw. The fields’ licences were granted in 2022 and 2023 under the Conservative government. [1]

Last year, the Court of Session in Edinburgh ruled that the approvals for both fields were unlawful because the government had not considered the climate impact of burning the oil and gas they would produce. [1]

Environmental groups argue that further drilling would hamper efforts to cut emissions and would not safeguard energy security. Industry bodies say production could support jobs and strengthen security of supply amid conflicts overseas. [1]