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Gas from North Sea’s Jackdaw field could be flowing to British homes within days
North Sea gas from the Jackdaw field could begin flowing to British homes within days, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said, arguing that it would support energy security and jobs. His comments came during a parliamentary debate over Rosebank, a larger untapped oil field whose future remains undecided after drilling was halted following a climate-related legal challenge.
Shanks said the Government’s approval of Jackdaw was consistent with its climate commitments and would add an estimated £2.9 billion to the UK economy. Shadow energy minister Harriet Cross said Jackdaw could supply gas equal to 6 per cent of UK needs and argued Rosebank could add a further 4 per cent. Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed opposed Rosebank, citing climate and taxpayer concerns; Shanks said the UK would need oil and gas for decades but must manage the transition.
In short
- Jackdaw gas could reach British homes within days.
- The field is expected to supply gas equal to 6 per cent of UK needs.
- Rosebank’s future remains under review amid energy and climate arguments.
Explained simply
The North Sea is a long-standing source of oil and gas for the UK, which still uses gas for heating and electricity. Jackdaw and Rosebank are separate fields off Scotland: Jackdaw is a gas project, while Rosebank is a larger oil field.
The UK Government decides whether new projects can go ahead, weighing energy supply and economic effects against climate commitments. Ministers, opposition energy spokespeople and MPs may differ over how much the UK should continue producing oil and gas as it shifts towards lower-carbon energy.