Jackdaw gas field set for UK approval, BBC reports

Britain's government is set to approve drilling at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea this month, the BBC and other British media reported Friday, citing government and industry sources.

The Labour government declined to comment. “We do not comment on speculation,” the energy department said, adding that any decision would take account of environmental assessments and public representations from the consultation process.

Labour promised when it returned to power in 2024 not to issue any new oil and gas drilling licences as it shifts Britain toward renewable energy. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will keep Labour's manifesto commitments but take “a pragmatic approach” to oil and gas extraction in UK waters.

The Guardian reported that Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is likely in the coming months to approve development of the Rosebank field, another North Sea project that mainly contains oil and lies west of the Shetland Islands.

The previous Conservative government approved drilling at Jackdaw and Rosebank before both projects became subject to lengthy legal battles.

Adura, the company managing both sites, said Jackdaw and Rosebank could provide 10 percent of the UK's gas production and 10 percent of UK continental shelf oil output. It said the fields could contribute more than £28 billion, or $38 billion, to the economy and support more than 3,500 jobs.

The main opposition Conservatives say more drilling would strengthen Britain's energy security and cut bills. Critics dispute that, saying UK consumers would see no difference because gas and oil costs are set by international market prices.

“New drilling just means more profits for oil and gas companies while making the unfolding climate crisis even worse,” Tessa Khan, executive director of environmental pressure group Uplift, said Friday.