UK approves Jackdaw North Sea gasfield despite expected opposition from climate campaigners and Labour MPs

Summary

The UK government has approved the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea, about 150 miles east of Aberdeen, ending years of legal and political wrangling over whether the project would breach the country's climate commitments. Miatta Fahnbulleh announced the decision from Aberdeen on Wednesday, 21 October, and said the project could begin supplying gas to British homes and businesses from as early as the end of that month. Adura, the joint venture of Shell and Equinor that operates the field, says it could produce gas equivalent to up to 40,000 barrels of oil a day at peak, and the government expects it to raise domestic gas output by about 6 per cent at peak over a lifespan of up to 11 years. The government also said it will set up an Energy Wealth Fund with a £2 billion downpayment to reinvest oil and gas revenue into the climate transition. Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the decision as a pragmatic approach to the North Sea, arguing that oil and gas will still be needed for decades. The approval was widely expected after lobbying by Shell, but it is expected to dismay environmental campaigners and some Labour MPs, because Labour's 2024 manifesto committed to banning new North Sea drilling licences. Environmental groups could mount a fresh legal challenge, and the separately decided Rosebank oilfield project is also at issue.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   20 Oct 2026, 18:24 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reported on 20 October that the Jackdaw gasfield would be given the go-ahead on Wednesday, a move it said signals Andy Burnham's commitment to the North Sea fossil fuel industry and threatens a row with climate campaigners and Labour MPs.

2. The Guardian

   20 Oct 2026, 18:58 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reported on 20 October that the Jackdaw gasfield had been given consent to begin production about four years and six energy secretaries after its first green light, and weighed what the decision means for household bills, the economy and the climate crisis.

3. The National

   21 Oct 2026, 07:04 UTCSource ↗

   The National reported on 21 October that Britain approved the Jackdaw North Sea gasfield, with Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh saying it would supply gas from the end of the month and fund a £2 billion Energy Wealth Fund, and that environmental groups could mount a fresh legal challenge.

4. The Guardian

   21 Oct 2026, 07:51 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reported on 21 October that the UK government had approved the controversial Jackdaw gasfield, a widely expected move after lobbying by Shell that will dismay environmental campaigners and some Labour MPs.