The Labour party is facing pressure to approve drilling in two major North Sea gas and oil fields, with critics arguing that blocking the projects would be a "dereliction of duty" that jeopardizes the United Kingdom's energy security and the future of the domestic oil and gas industry.
Andrew Bowie, the Shadow Scottish Secretary, has urged the government to "get Britain drilling again" and called for the immediate approval of the Jackdaw gas field and the Rosebank oil field. The public consultation for Jackdaw has closed, while the one for Rosebank concludes next week.
"Refusing permission for Jackdaw and Rosebank would not only be madness, it would be a dereliction of duty that could signal the death knell of our vital oil and gas industry," Bowie stated. He emphasized that these developments would create thousands of jobs, increase tax revenue, and reduce the UK's exposure to global energy shocks.
BP's recent decision to sell its North Sea operations after six decades was cited as a wake-up call for Labour to abandon its "damaging ban on new licences and end the Energy Profits Levy." Bowie asserted that the sector requires "real change" rather than "warm words."
Both Rosebank and Jackdaw were initially approved by the previous Conservative government. However, legal challenges by environmental campaigners led to delays and necessitated a fresh evaluation of their carbon emissions. The final decision on licensing has now fallen to the current Labour administration.
Despite Andy Burnham's stated desire for a "pragmatic approach" to North Sea drilling, he and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh have not yet committed to licensing these fields. The industry is reportedly losing around 1,000 jobs per month, with investors reportedly steering clear due to a 78% UK windfall tax on profits and perceived hostility towards drilling.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, argued that the case for approving Jackdaw is "overwhelming." He noted that Britain still requires gas, domestic production is declining faster than demand, and Jackdaw alone could supply over 6% of UK gas at its peak, sufficient to heat 1.4 million homes annually. "If we choose not to produce that gas here, we will simply import more from overseas," Borthwick said, adding that the project would support jobs, tax revenues, and crucial infrastructure while "strengthening our energy security."
Neil McCulloch, chief executive of Adura, the joint venture developing both fields, stated that Jackdaw and Rosebank are "advanced projects of national significance." He believes they can enhance UK energy security, sustain jobs and apprenticeships, support businesses, and generate billions in economic activity and tax revenue, all while having lower associated carbon emissions than imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
A UK Government spokesperson commented that the North Sea remains a "vital national asset," supporting jobs, growth, and energy security. The government maintains that oil and gas will continue to play a significant role alongside renewables and other low-carbon technologies, focusing on stability and supporting North Sea workers and communities.