Politics · United Kingdom · 7 hrs ago
UK energy secretary leans towards rejecting Rosebank oilfield
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh approved the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, which is expected to start supplying gas to UK homes and businesses within weeks.
She is leaning towards rejecting Rosebank, a much larger North Sea oilfield, but has not made a final decision.
The projects are linked to existing licences, even though Labour’s 2024 election manifesto promised a ban on new North Sea drilling licences.
Fahnbulleh says Jackdaw would supply gas for the domestic market, while most Rosebank oil would be exported.
Rosebank is expected to produce about seven times Jackdaw’s carbon emissions, making its climate impact a key issue in the decision.
Jackdaw is intended to support UK energy security, not lower bills, and a ruling on Rosebank is expected later this year.
UK Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is leaning towards rejecting approval for the Rosebank oilfield, though she has not made a final decision.
She said Rosebank should be judged separately from the Jackdaw gasfield, which she approved on Wednesday.
Fahnbulleh said Rosebank is mainly for export, while Jackdaw would supply the domestic market.
The Rosebank field is expected to produce substantially more carbon emissions than Jackdaw and is understood to do less for UK energy security.
Officials expect a ruling on Rosebank later this year.
- Who
- Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is leaning towards rejecting approval for Rosebank.
- What
- The government is considering whether to approve the oilfield. No final decision has been made.
- When
- Fahnbulleh approved Jackdaw on Wednesday. A ruling on Rosebank is expected later this year.
- Where
- Rosebank is in the North Sea.
- Why
- Fahnbulleh said Rosebank is mainly for export, unlike Jackdaw, which would supply the domestic market. She also cited climate obligations and carbon budgets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The companies behind Jackdaw and Rosebank resubmitted their applications for environmental approval.
Fahnbulleh approved the smaller Jackdaw gasfield.
Reports said Fahnbulleh was leaning towards rejecting Rosebank but had not made a final decision.
Officials expect a ruling on Rosebank.
- Rosebank emissions
- About seven times Jackdaw’s carbon emissions
- Rosebank oil reserves
- Estimated at 300 million to 500 million barrels
- Jackdaw emissions
- Estimated 36 million tonnes of carbon emissions
- Rosebank decision
- No final decision; ruling expected later this year
- North Sea energy wealth fund
- £2bn allocation in the budget
3 sources
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Energy secretary leaning towards rejecting Rosebank oilfield
What people are saying
One is a gasfield that caters for the domestic market, while the other is an oilfield that is mainly for export.
It is right that we judge each application in its own right, and it is absolutely critical that the decision is consistent with our climate obligations, our carbon budgets and the end destination we need to get to with the energy transition.
This is not about bills.
The case for approval is equally strong.