Gatwick Oil Site Aims for Relaunch Amid Energy Security Warnings

The Horse Hill oil and gas field near Gatwick, often referred to as the ‘Gatwick Gusher,’ is poised for a potential relaunch next year, contingent on government and local council approval. British firm Energy B has announced plans to acquire full control of the site, aiming to resume production after years of inactivity.

Energy B recently agreed to purchase the remaining 22.1% stake in the site’s operating company, Horse Hill Developments, following its acquisition of UK Oil and Gas’s (UKOG) entire holding in June. Neil Ritson, CEO of Energy B, stated that restarting operations would help mitigate Britain’s increasing dependence on imported energy. He warned that the UK is particularly vulnerable to a ‘supply shock’ due to its limited energy storage capacity.

"The core issue is that Britain no longer controls much of its own supply," Ritson told This Is Money. "The gap is filled by pipeline gas from Norway and the Continent, plus liquefied natural gas shipped in from further afield, often the USA."

He explained that storage acts as a buffer against disruptions or demand spikes, such as during cold weather. With minimal reserves, Ritson cautioned that a supply shock could impact the UK within days, forcing the country to purchase energy at inflated prices, costs ultimately passed on to consumers.

Any new drilling at the Horse Hill site requires approval from the Government’s North Sea Transition Authority. Energy B is also awaiting a decision on a new planning application, submitted in May 2026, which includes an emissions assessment. If approved, Ritson indicated that drilling could commence in early 2027.

"Oil and gas will remain part of the country's energy mix for decades, and it is better for bills, jobs, carbon emissions and for national security if these resources are controlled in Britain," Ritson said. "A country that produces more of its own energy has a buffer, and it keeps the jobs and the tax revenue that come with it."

The Horse Hill site, located in Surrey, first attracted attention in 2014 when UKOG drilled an exploration well. Preliminary estimates at the time suggested the well could contain nearly 20 million barrels of oil, with potential for an additional 16.8 million barrels nearby. UKOG later clarified that it was not certain if any oil was recoverable.

In 2015, UKOG also suggested that onshore oil reserves beneath the south of England could be as high as 100 billion barrels. However, the project faced controversy, and in June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that the full climate impact of the Horse Hill fossil fuel project should have been assessed before Surrey County Council granted approval. By the autumn of 2024, the site had suspended production.

Energy B’s plans for Horse Hill emerge as the government is reportedly deliberating on decisions for two North Sea oil and gas fields: Rosebank and Jackdaw. Energy minister Miatta Fahnbulleh stated that a decision on the Jackdaw field is ‘imminent.’ Industry groups advocate for these projects, citing potential support for jobs and significant tax revenue, while environmentalists raise concerns about their climate impact.