{"id":59249,"title":"UK North Sea drilling debate intensifies as demand remains high","publisher":"Stockmark.IT","author":"Stockmark.IT Website","published":"2026-09-17T17:30:29+00:00","modified":"2026-09-17T17:30:49+00:00","canonical_url":"https://stockmark.it/demand-hasnt-disappeared-so-why-should-drilling/","markdown_url":"https://stockmark.it/demand-hasnt-disappeared-so-why-should-drilling.md","json_url":"https://stockmark.it/demand-hasnt-disappeared-so-why-should-drilling.json","category":"Oil & Gas","categories":["Oil & Gas","Oil and Gas","Oil Exploration","Oil Producer","Oil Production","oil-gas"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/uk-north-sea-drilling-debate-intensifies-as-demand-remains.webp?fit=1200%2C800&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"The ongoing consultations regarding the Rosebank and Jackdaw offshore projects have reignited the debate over domestic hydrocarbon production in the United Kingdom. With the consultation period closing last month, public opinion remains divided on whether to permit further drilling in North Sea waters. This discussion has gained renewed momentum following recent remarks by Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency, who urged a reconsideration of the Arctic drilling ban. Birol argued that European energy security is paramount and highlighted Norway as a trusted supplier that does not weaponise energy, suggesting that the world requires every available drop of oil from reliable sources.\n\nProponents of continued UK production, including Offshore Energies UK Chief Executive David Whitehouse, argue that the focus on drilling distracts from the fundamental issue of energy demand. Oil and gas currently constitute 75 per cent of the national energy mix, making domestic production a critical component of energy security. Although UK-sourced hydrocarbons do not immediately lower costs determined by international markets, they are vital for maintaining a supportive and reliable energy partnership with Europe. The United Kingdom possesses world-class supply chains capable of extracting resources safely and responsibly. Virtually all gas extracted from UK waters enters the domestic network, while most oil is exported to Europe for refining. Approximately 65 per cent of this refined oil returns to the UK, arriving more cheaply and with a lower carbon footprint than imports from other sources.\n\nCritics of the status quo suggest that ceasing domestic production would force the UK to import oil and gas from nations such as Qatar and the United States. This shift would result in the loss of domestic benefits, including jobs, skills, and bargaining power. Adura, the developer of the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects, states that its portfolio could achieve an average production emissions intensity as low as half the North Sea average. This figure is approximately eight times lower than that of imported liquefied natural gas. The UK also maintains some of the most robust climate compatibility checks for oil and gas projects globally, ensuring that environmental concerns are rigorously addressed.\n\nThe argument for continued production is further supported by the reality of current energy consumption. While renewables generate a record 50 per cent of UK electricity, they account for only 17 per cent of total final energy use, which includes heating and transport. Scope 3 emissions, associated with the consumption of oil and gas, will occur regardless of whether the fuel is produced domestically or imported. Stopping UK production will not avert these consumption emissions. Therefore, the sensible approach is to produce the hydrocarbons still required, do so as responsibly as possible, and simultaneously accelerate the growth of lower-carbon energy systems.\n\nDecisions on the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects are expected in the coming weeks. If approved, Jackdaw could heat 1.4 million UK homes by this winter, representing a significant contribution to energy supply. The outcome will serve as a key indicator of the government’s commitment to Britain’s energy independence. The prevailing view among industry leaders is that the goal is not to choose the past over the future, but to establish a credible route between the two, ensuring energy security while transitioning to a greener economy."}