New UK PM Burnham Set to Back North Sea Oil and Gas Projects
Incoming UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to announce new drilling approvals for the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field in the North Sea within days of taking office, according to Bloomberg. The fields, owned by Adura (a Shell-Equinor joint venture), are currently in legal limbo after previous approvals were overturned. Burnham's team has asked civil servants to prepare plans, including expanding 'tie-backs' near existing fields. While no final decision has been made, Burnham is reportedly receptive to Scottish Labour MPs' calls for a policy shift. The move would likely anger environmentalists but is welcomed by trade unions and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Public consultations launched on Thursday may delay formal approval. Adura argues the projects would boost energy security, sustain thousands of jobs, and provide 10% of UK domestic gas production.
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