UK Ministers Restart North Sea Oilfield Approval Process

The UK government is set to restart the approval process for developing already-licensed North Sea oil and gas fields, including the Rosebank and Jackdaw projects, following a Supreme Court ruling that required environmental impact assessments to account for emissions from burning the extracted oil and gas. Energy Security Minister Michael Shanks announced new guidance to address this ruling, allowing companies like Equinor and Shell to reapply for drilling permissions, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband making the final decisions. Offshore Energies UK and industry leaders emphasize the importance of responsible domestic production for energy security, jobs, and economic value, highlighting a 28% reduction in offshore emissions since 2018. However, environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Uplift criticize the move, arguing the government must consider the full climate impact and that the UK will still rely heavily on imported gas by 2050. The government faces internal tensions, with Labour MPs opposing new licences while the Treasury pushes for growth through these developments. This policy shift could also influence other stalled projects in the North Sea, shaping the future of the UK's energy sector amid its transition to cleaner sources.