Jackdaw gasfield likely to be approved by ministers this month

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is expected to recommend approval for the Jackdaw gasfield off Aberdeen next week, with ministers likely to grant formal consent a week later, according to government sources. The decision comes as the cabinet prepares to approve the controversial Rosebank oilfield this month, signalling a broader push to expand North Sea production.

The Jackdaw project, which has faced environmental scrutiny, will be reviewed by the Energy and Climate Change Committee before the final ministerial vote. If approved, it would add significant capacity to the UK’s offshore gas supply, potentially boosting domestic output and reducing reliance on imports. The Rosebank approval, meanwhile, would open a major oilfield that has been on the table for several years, reflecting the government’s emphasis on securing energy resources amid global supply pressures.

Both approvals are part of a wider strategy to strengthen the UK’s energy security and support the transition to a low‑carbon economy. The forthcoming decisions will be closely watched by industry stakeholders, environmental groups, and policymakers as they shape the country’s energy landscape for the coming decade.