Life on the Edge: Inside the Rosebank Oil Field Amidst Political Debate
An inside look at the challenging environment and daily lives of workers on the Petrojarl Rosebank vessel, situated at the center of a contentious debate over fossil fuel production.
The Petrojarl Rosebank, a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, is moored above the Rosebank oil field in the North Atlantic, a site at the heart of a complex political and environmental discussion. Recently, journalists were granted rare access to the vessel, days before Storm Ciara brought heavy winds and rain, to examine the controversial project.
Life Offshore
Life on the Rosebank involves two weeks of work followed by three weeks off, with a crew of 122 individuals. Nicola Boyd, who manages the helideck, described her job as "good fun" and "interesting," highlighting the dynamic nature of offshore work. Despite the challenging environment, workers express satisfaction with their roles and the onboard facilities, which include single cabins, a gym, recreational rooms, and a cinema.
Ewan Leonard, a lead mechanical technician, noted that the weather west of Shetland, where the field is located, can be extreme. He mentioned experiencing swells of up to 30 meters and anticipates harsher conditions as winter progresses. Douglas Hogge, a production supervisor, acknowledged the environmental challenges but also pointed to the camaraderie and excellent amenities available, including what he described as "fantastic" food prepared by onboard chefs.
The Project and Its Controversies
The Rosebank field holds an estimated 300 to 500 million barrels of oil and gas, with potential production lasting about 25 years. Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Equinor, owns 80% of the field. Neil McCulloch, Adura's CEO, highlighted that the field contains gas which could be piped to Shetland and then to a terminal in Aberdeenshire, potentially supplying 500,000 British homes. He also suggested that approving Rosebank could lead to the development of four additional gas fields in the area.
However, the project faces significant opposition from environmental campaigners. Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, argued that approving new fossil fuel projects like Rosebank would exacerbate climate change impacts and undermine investor confidence. "We think Rosebank would be a disastrous decision and a terrible deal for ordinary people across this country," Khan stated, urging a prioritization of renewable energy.
Regulatory and Environmental Hurdles
Consent for production at Rosebank was initially granted in 2023 but was later deemed unlawful by the Court of Session in Edinburgh after a challenge by Greenpeace and Uplift. The court ruled that the approval failed to account for the climate impact of burning the extracted fossil fuels. Developers were permitted to continue preliminary work while providing more detailed environmental assessments.
The outcome of the UK government's decision on Rosebank is highly anticipated, with sources indicating a decision was expected before Christmas. The workers on the Petrojarl Rosebank remain focused on their duties, aware of the ongoing debate that will determine the field's future and their own. Despite the uncertainties, many express a longing for home, whether it's for their pets or a simple pizza. For now, the vessel and its crew navigate the tempestuous North Atlantic, awaiting a decision that will shape the future of this significant energy resource.