A consultation regarding the Jackdaw gas field, situated 150 miles east of Aberdeen, concluded today, 10 August 2026. This brings the government closer to a decision on whether to permit new drilling in the North Sea.
A separate consultation concerning the Rosebank oil field, located north-west of Shetland, is scheduled to close next Monday. Both Jackdaw and Rosebank are projects under development by Adura, an Aberdeen-based company.
Environmental groups have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reject permission for oil and gas production at both sites, citing climate change concerns. Conversely, the oil and gas industry, opposition politicians, and US President Donald Trump have advocated for approval, arguing it would safeguard jobs and reduce energy bills.
Previous approvals for production at Jackdaw and Rosebank by the Conservatives were overturned last year following a legal challenge by Greenpeace. This leaves the current Labour government to make the final decision.