Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
UK prime minister weighs approval of two North Sea oil and gas fields
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is deciding whether to allow more North Sea drilling off Scotland.
The decision concerns Rosebank and Jackdaw, two oil and gas fields north of Scotland.
A previous government approved both projects, but a court ruled those approvals unlawful after a legal challenge.
Climate campaigners want Burnham to reject the projects, saying they would add emissions and conflict with climate commitments.
Supporters, including opposition politicians and the oil and gas industry, say drilling could protect jobs, reduce household bills and improve energy security.
Critics argue the fields would make little difference to energy bills or security because prices depend on international markets.
Burnham’s decision is still pending; public consultations closed in August, and officials have been expected to decide since then.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is weighing whether to allow oil and gas companies to develop the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields in the North Sea.
Environmental groups say the projects would accelerate climate change and have urged the government to refuse permission.
Supporters, including opposition politicians and the oil and gas industry, say development could protect jobs, lower household bills and strengthen energy security.
A court ruled last year that approvals granted by the former Conservative government were unlawful.
The two fields lie north and east of Scotland.
- Who
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham is weighing the decision. Environmental groups and supporters of drilling are pressing opposing views.
- What
- Whether to approve development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields.
- When
- The decision was expected after public consultations closed in August; no decision date is stated.
- Where
- In the North Sea, off Scotland.
- Why
- Supporters cite jobs, household bills and energy security; critics cite climate change and say the projects would make little difference to energy bills or energy security.
Environmental groups and other critics
Drilling supporters
Climate impact
Environmental groups and other critics
The projects would accelerate climate change and increase carbon emissions.
Drilling supporters
The sources report supporters’ arguments about jobs, household bills and energy security, but do not state their response to the climate argument.
Energy and household costs
Environmental groups and other critics
New fields would make little difference to bills because prices are set by international markets, and would not significantly improve energy security.
Drilling supporters
Developing the fields could cut household bills and improve Britain’s energy security.
A court in Edinburgh ruled that approvals for the two projects were unlawful.
Public consultations on the projects closed, and officials were expected to make a decision.
- Rosebank location
- 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Scotland’s Shetland Islands
- Rosebank estimated capacity
- 300 million to 500 million barrels of oil within about 25 years
- Jackdaw location
- 150 miles east of Aberdeen
- Jackdaw peak gas production
- Shell Group predicts around 6.5% of the U.K.’s gas production at its peak
- Court ruling
- An Edinburgh court ruled last year that the former government’s approvals were unlawful
What people are saying
The public interest in authorities acting lawfully and the private interest of members of the public in climate change outweigh the private interest of the developers
Sources
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