Burnham Promises Pragmatic North Sea Approach Amid Industry Urgency
Labour's energy secretary Andy Burnham has promised to take a 'pragmatic' approach to drilling in the North Sea, which has been welcomed by industry leaders. This comes after his visit to Aberdeen with new Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, where they met with oil and gas workers. The trip was seen as an important signal that the government is committed to supporting the sector.
Industry executives have been optimistic about Burnham's intentions since his comments during the Makerfield byelection, where he expressed openness to new North Sea oil licences. However, two months on from their visit, little concrete progress has been made beyond positive mood music and non-committal overtures.
The next key decision for ministers is a decision on the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects, which could produce nearly a billion barrels of oil and meet more than six percent of the UK's gas demand. If approved, this would be seen as an important first step in supporting the sector.
With global energy supplies under strain due to the war in the Middle East and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, industry leaders argue that the need for action is pressing. The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero says it will take into account all relevant evidence when making its decision on Adura's two fields.