Production at Rosebank, the UK’s largest undeveloped oilfield, may be delayed until 2027 after drilling equipment was accidentally dropped on to the North Sea seabed. The setback comes as the government considers whether to permit work at Rosebank and Jackdaw, balancing industry arguments on energy security and jobs against climate concerns.

The incident occurred on 18 April, when two key pieces of equipment, including a safety valve, fell 1,100 metres; no workers were injured. The rig was sent to Bergen for repairs and could be unavailable for up to four months, delaying some wells, while Rosebank is estimated to contain 300 million barrels of oil over 25 years.