Jackdaw gas field set to be approved as soon as mid-September, sources say

The UK government is reportedly preparing to approve the contentious Jackdaw gas field located off the coast of Aberdeen, with the decision expected possibly by mid-September, shortly before Parliament’s party conference recess, according to sources within the government and industry. Initially given the green light by the previous Conservative administration in 2022, the project faced legal setbacks after a Scottish court ruled that the environmental impact, particularly the climate consequences, had not been properly assessed before consent was granted.

Jackdaw’s developer claims the gas field can supply up to 6% of the UK’s gas demand during peak production, though environmental advocates estimate the figure to be closer to 2%. After its prior approval, campaigners challenged the decision legally, as they had done with the Rosebank oil field off Shetland, which was approved in 2023. In a significant legal ruling, the Court of Session in Edinburgh decided that both Jackdaw and Rosebank had been approved unlawfully due to insufficient consideration of the environmental impacts linked to burning the fossil fuels extracted from these sites. The judge mandated that more comprehensive climate impact assessments be conducted, which were subsequently released for public consultation in July.

The Jackdaw and Rosebank projects are operated by Adura, a collaboration between Shell and Equinor, with Aberdeen firm Ithaca holding a 20% stake in Rosebank. Adura estimates that over its projected 11-year operational span, Jackdaw could be responsible for producing 35.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is approximately 90% of Scotland’s total emissions for 2023. A more realistic forecast, they suggest, is nearer to 23.6 million tonnes, or around 60% of the same figure. Environmental campaigners argue that initiating new drilling activities is incompatible with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions in response to increasingly severe climate impacts, such as heatwaves and flooding worldwide. They contend that moving quickly toward renewable energy and cleaner technologies would better support employment and bolstering energy security than new fossil fuel projects.

In contrast, proponents assert that the development of these gas fields will safeguard jobs and enhance the UK’s energy security, especially given the uncertainties posed by international conflicts affecting supply chains. Supporters stress that output from Jackdaw is crucial in prolonging the operational life of existing North Sea infrastructure, like the Shearwater hub, which processes hydrocarbons before delivery to onshore facilities. Adura indicated that with approval expected in September, the gas field could begin supplying homes by the upcoming winter, as construction is almost complete. The final decision currently lies with the Energy Secretary, following a public consultation that concluded in August. Meanwhile, government representatives have highlighted that oil and gas will remain part of the UK energy landscape for decades, alongside efforts to develop greener power sources, ensuring that all environmental assessments and public feedback are considered before any final approval is granted

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