Jackdaw gas field in North Sea set to be approved, reports suggest

The Jackdaw gas field located off the coast of Aberdeen is reportedly set to receive approval from the UK Government, according to recent reports. Sources within the government suggest the project could be granted consent as early as this month, suggesting progress following previous delays. Energy Secretary Mia Fahnbulleh is also expected to approve the Rosebank oil field in the coming months, according to The Guardian.

Both projects were previously approved by the Conservative government but were overturned by the courts due to environmental concerns. A No 10 spokeswoman declined to provide an update on the Jackdaw approval, stating it's a "quasi-judicial decision." The Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce hailed the Jackdaw's approval as a "hugely important vote of confidence in the North Sea."

However, the chief executive of the chamber, Russell Borthwick, stressed the need for the same urgency to be applied to Rosebank, another major project. The rejection of new oil and gas licenses by Labour's government has been criticized for its impact on the North East, resulting in job losses. Adura, the joint venture between Shell and Equinor operating the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields, estimates Jackdaw could produce 6% of the UK's gas output at its peak, though environmental groups estimate a lower figure.

Friends of the Earth Scotland warned against the government "caving in to fossil fuel company pressure," arguing that new fossil fuel projects exacerbate climate change. The group emphasized that new fossil fuels have no place in climate commitments. Environmental groups contend that further drilling in the North Sea offers little to alleviate energy bills or improve energy supply after decades of exploration.

The North Sea has already exhausted much of its gas reserves, with the remaining resources largely being oil exported. Industry body Offshore Energies UK claims that Rosebank and Jackdaw would support over 3,500 jobs during construction and 880 jobs externally throughout their lifespans, generating £10.8 billion in investment and £1.4 billion in tax revenues by the end of the current Parliament.