Business · Energy & Commodities · 2 hrs ago
Burnham says Jackdaw gas approval will strengthen UK energy security
UK ministers approved the Jackdaw gas field, 150 miles east of Aberdeen, after years of uncertainty and a court case.
Andy Burnham said it will increase domestic gas production by about 6% and support the UK’s energy supply for more than a decade.
He said the project can serve as a bridge to clean energy while the UK pursues its net zero target for 2050.
Labour has also reaffirmed its pledge to block new North Sea licences, and the approval drew criticism from some Labour lawmakers and environmentalists.
Conservatives want the government to approve the Rosebank oil field west of Shetland, saying it could help energy security and support European allies.
The government has not announced a decision on Rosebank; it previously described reports that it might be rejected as speculation.
The UK approved the Jackdaw gas field after years of uncertainty and a court case.
Andy Burnham said the decision would strengthen energy security while the UK remains committed to its net zero target.
The field is expected to increase domestic gas production by about 6% and support the UK’s energy supply for more than a decade.
Labour reaffirmed its pledge to block new North Sea licences, while Conservatives called for approval of the Rosebank oil field and an end to the licensing ban.
- Who
- The UK government approved the Jackdaw gas field. Andy Burnham defended the decision, while Conservatives called for Rosebank to be approved.
- What
- Approval was given for the Jackdaw gas field.
- When
- Ministers announced the approval on Wednesday. The articles do not state the date of the announcement.
- Where
- The field is 150 miles east of Aberdeen, Scotland.
- Why
- Burnham said the decision would strengthen energy security and increase domestic gas production.
UK government and Andy Burnham
Conservatives
Energy policy
UK government and Andy Burnham
Burnham said approving Jackdaw would strengthen energy security while the UK pursues net zero and maintains its pledge to block new North Sea licences.
Conservatives
Conservatives called for Rosebank to be approved and the ban on new oil and gas licences to be lifted.
Rosebank
UK government and Andy Burnham
The government had previously called reports that Rosebank could be rejected speculation; the sources do not state its final decision.
Conservatives
Andrew Bowie said approving Rosebank would support domestic energy security and help European allies reduce reliance on Russia.
Ministers announced that the Jackdaw gas field had been approved.
Andy Burnham defended the decision, saying it would strengthen energy security while the UK remained committed to net zero.
Conservatives called for the Rosebank oil field to be approved and for the ban on new licences to be lifted.
- Jackdaw location
- 150 miles east of Aberdeen, Scotland
- Expected production increase
- About 6% in domestic gas production
- Expected supply support
- More than a decade
- Rosebank location
- West of Shetland, Scotland
- Labour pledge
- Block new North Sea licences
3 sources
What people are saying
The simple truth is that even as we pursue our ambitious target of net zero by 2050, we will need oil and gas for years to come as a bridge to that clean-energy future.
significantly strengthen our energy security by increasing domestic gas production by about 6% and support the UK’s energy supply for more than a decade
Approving Rosebank is common sense, both for our domestic energy security and when it comes to supporting our allies in Europe.
Every barrel of oil we export to Europe could be one less they buy from (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.