UK approves drilling at North Sea’s Jackdaw gas field

The UK government has approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, allowing the project to begin supplying gas as early as the end of October.

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh authorized the North Sea Transition Authority to grant consent after a new review that considered emissions from burning the field’s gas. The project, operated by Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Norway’s Equinor, is expected to raise domestic gas production by about 6% at its peak and operate for up to 11 years.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the decision would protect hundreds of jobs and help supply homes during the winter. He described it as compatible with the government’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and its pledge not to issue new North Sea oil and gas licences. The government also announced an Energy Wealth Fund, starting with £2 billion, to direct oil and gas revenue toward the transition to cleaner energy.

Jackdaw was initially approved by the previous Conservative government, but a Scottish court blocked production after ruling that the approval had not properly accounted for emissions generated when the gas was burned. Fresh consultations closed in August.

Environmental groups condemned the renewed approval, arguing that additional gas production would worsen climate change and would not necessarily reduce household bills because UK gas prices are tied to global markets. A separate decision on the proposed Rosebank oil field will take longer, Fahnbulleh said.