UK approves Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea
The Government has approved drilling in the Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen, ending years of legal wrangling, with gas expected to flow from as early as the end of this month.
The UK Government has approved drilling in the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, ending years of legal and political wrangling. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh confirmed on Wednesday that she had approved the North Sea Transition Authority granting consent, with gas expected to supply British homes from as early as the end of this month.
Operator Adura, the joint venture between Shell and Norway’s Equinor, says Jackdaw will produce up to 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day at peak output — around 6 per cent of UK North Sea gas production, and enough to heat the equivalent of about 1.4 million UK homes. The Times reports the field is the UK’s largest known untapped gas reservoir.
Jackdaw was approved by the previous Conservative government in June 2022, but the consent was overturned after climate campaigners challenged it in court. A 2025 ruling required fresh consent accounting for emissions from burning the hydrocarbons.
Ms Fahnbulleh said the decision would “support the country’s energy security with homegrown gas this winter” and was “compatible with our legally binding climate commitments”. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “At a time when people are really struggling, it’s right that we look in a responsible way at maximising the existing energy reserves we have in Britain that could help.”
The Government also announced a £2 billion Energy Wealth Fund to reinvest oil and gas revenues in the climate transition. A decision on Rosebank is expected separately, and environmental groups could mount a fresh legal challenge.
Sources
- The Gazette (PA): https://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/national/26655562.government-approves-drilling-jackdaw-gas-field/
- The National: https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2026/10/21/uk-approves-long-awaited-jackdaw-gasfield-in-north-sea/
- The Times: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/jackdaw-gas-field-climate-change-zdc7lbgm8
- Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/uk-approves-long-delayed-jackdaw-gas-field-2026-10-21/
More on this topic: all UK Broadband stories
