North Sea: UK approves Jackdaw gas field – first gas to flow this winter
The Shell and Equinor field east of Aberdeen could heat 1.4 million homes at its peak. Environmental groups criticise the decision, and it is expected to do little for energy bills.
Symbolic image · Photo: NAC / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
The UK government on Wednesday approved production at the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, about 150 miles east of Aberdeen. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the regulator can grant consent for gas production and that the decision is compatible with the country's legally binding climate commitments. The operator is Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Norway's state-owned Equinor. According to the government, gas will start flowing to homes and businesses from the end of the month.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the approval would "protect hundreds of jobs and help keep millions of homes warm this winter," STV News reported. According to the project, Jackdaw could supply about 6.5% of UK Continental Shelf gas production at its peak – enough to heat more than 1.4 million homes. Environmental groups put its share of total UK gas use, including imports, at only around 2%.
An earlier approval from 2022 was ruled unlawful by the courts because emissions from burning the gas had not been properly assessed. The field is unlikely to have much effect on bills, as the gas will be sold at European market prices; the energy price cap is projected to rise by 16% to 25% in January. The government will decide later on the larger Rosebank oil field off Shetland.