Energy minister confirms no fixed deadline for Rosebank and Jackdaw decisions

Energy Minister Michael Shanks has stated that there is no specific deadline for the approval of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields. He emphasised that the government intends to reach a decision as rapidly as possible, following the recent closure of two consultation periods. This position comes amid indications that Prime Minister Andy Burnham may support the projects, although reports suggest the final decision could be delayed until September.

The government currently faces conflicting political pressures. Members of the Labour party’s left wing are protesting against the development plans for both fields, while opposition parties are urging an expansion of North Sea drilling. Speaking to the Scotsman, Shanks declined to confirm whether the decision would be finalised in September. He noted that the consultation on Jackdaw closed last week, while the consultation on Rosebank concluded this week. He explained that the government must review the responses received, describing this review as the primary purpose of the consultation process before a decision is made.

The Jackdaw gas field was originally approved in 2022, with Rosebank following in 2023 under the previous Conservative government. Both approvals were subsequently quashed by the courts in 2025 after legal challenges determined that the original consents unlawfully ignored the climate impact of burning the extracted fossil fuels. The new consultation process may require the government to deviate from the pledge in Keir Starmer’s 2024 Labour manifesto to issue no new oil and gas licences. The outcome could also have significant international implications, with the Faroes Energy Industry Group describing a potential rejection as a disaster for the Faroe Islands.