Government approves drilling in Jackdaw gas field in North Sea

The UK Government has approved plans to begin drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea.

The decision ends months of speculation about the future of the project, which owner Adura said could deliver around 6 per cent of UK North Sea gas production.

The drilling project is one of two – alongside the Rosebank oil field off Shetland – which were approved by the previous Conservative government.

Both were approved for drilling licences in June 2022, but this was overturned by the Scottish courts after a challenge from environmental campaigners.

This came after a UK Supreme Court ruling that developers had to account for the climate impact caused by burning fossil fuels in their planning applications.

Fresh public consultations on the proposals took place this year and closed in August, and the government gave the green light to Jackdaw on Wednesday morning.

A decision on Rosebank, the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea, is being made separately, with energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh saying it will take “a bit longer”.

Prime minister Andy Burnham said the government remained committed to renewable energy but was taking a “pragmatic” approach to the North Sea.

He said: “I welcome the energy secretary’s decision, which will protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter.

“At a time when people are really struggling, it’s right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help.

“We’re committed to moving towards renewable energy and reaching net zero by 2050.

“But even on our ambitious climate path, we’ll still require oil and gas as part of our energy needs for decades to come.

“That’s why we’re taking a pragmatic approach to the North Sea. We’re also establishing a new Energy Wealth Fund to invest in renewable energy, support the green transition and help reduce energy bills over the long-term.

“Our approach will ensure we can boost our energy security, back British workers, ringfence future North Sea proceeds to speed up the green transition, hit our ambitious climate targets and – crucially – bring down bills.”