# UK Government to Approve Jackdaw North Sea Gas Field This Month, Sources Confirm

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/uk-government-to-approve-jackdaw-north-sea-gas-field-this-month-sources-confirm/
- Published: 2026-09-04T08:07:47+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-04T14:17:13+00:00
- Topics: Art, Business, Culture, Environment, Government, Politics, Science, Software, Technology, UK, World

## Key points

- Government set to approve Jackdaw gas field, Rosebank oilfield decision pending.
- Fields could supply 10% of UK's peak oil and gas output.
- Officials weighing directing Rosebank revenue into clean energy fund.

## Summary

The UK government is set to approve the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, with energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh expected to recommend the project to the North Sea Transition Authority, paving the way for formal sign-off within weeks. Ministers are also weighing approval of the larger Rosebank oilfield later in the year, with officials exploring ways to direct its proceeds towards clean energy projects, similar to Norway's approach. The decisions mark a significant moment for the government's North Sea strategy, coming after environmental permits for both fields were previously revoked by a court ruling and amid pressure from opposing sides: green campaigners want the projects scrapped, while Donald Trump has urged their development.

Jackdaw, run by Shell, and Rosebank, led by Equinor, could together supply 10% of the UK's oil and gas output at peak production, according to industry estimates. Rosebank, valued at £8.7bn, is the largest undeveloped field in UK waters, holding an estimated 500 million barrels of oil equivalent, though officials have warned that redirecting its revenues into the National Wealth Fund could prove legally complex given how far the approval process has progressed. Campaigners have argued the fields could cause up to £336bn in economic damage from resulting carbon emissions, while granting the environmental permits would not breach Labour's manifesto pledge against new licences, even though many Labour MPs remain opposed. Ultimately, the government proceeded with approval plans for Jackdaw, while a final decision on Rosebank was left pending further environmental assessment.

## Coverage

- [Daily Mail: Burnham ‘will approve new North Sea gas field within days’ as he overrides environmental concerns in bid to cut energy bills](https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16104671/Burnham-approve-new-Jackdaw-North-Sea-gas-field-days.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490)
- [The Guardian: Jackdaw gasfield set to be approved by ministers this month, sources say](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/04/jackdaw-gasfield-set-to-be-approved-by-ministers-this-month-sources-say)

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