Burnham Expected to Approve Jackdaw Gas Field Amid Energy Crisis

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to approve the development of the Jackdaw natural gas field in the North Sea before the end of September, according to a BBC report citing unnamed sources.

The project, operated by a joint venture between Shell and Equinor under the name Adura, had received initial approval years ago but was overturned after environmentalists sued, arguing that climate impacts were not considered. With soaring oil and gas prices and deepening UK reliance on imported energy, priorities are being reassessed.

Burnham has indicated a pragmatic stance, stating that oil and gas use cannot be halted immediately and that the focus should be on accelerating their use to fund the energy transition. The Jackdaw field contains enough gas to meet 6.5% of UK gas demand at its peak, according to the operators.

However, analysts from Wood Mackenzie argue that reviving the North Sea industry is not worthwhile due to limited remaining reserves, estimating that 90% of commercially viable UK oil and gas have been exhausted. Environmental opposition remains strong, with the first protest by the group Just Stop Oil in months occurring this week.