UK’s largest untapped oilfield thwarted as judge slaps down plans to drill | UK | News
Judges have thwarted plans to develop the UK’s largest untapped oilfield in a win for environmental campaigners.
The proposed Rosebank development west of Shetland, and smaller Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen, had been given the greenlight in 2023 under the previous government.
But the court of session in Edinburgh on Thursday sided with campaigners and climate experts in ruling that the original decisions to permit the drilling were unlawful.
This was because they had not taken into account the carbon emissions created by burning any oil and gas produced.
The vast majority of any oil produced is sold on the international markets and so does not add to energy security concerns for British consumers.
Oil and gas still provide more than two thirds of the UK’s energy but experts said the volumes in Rosebank and Jackdaw would not dramatically lower UK imports.
Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, said: “This is a significant win which means that Rosebank cannot go ahead without accounting for its enormous climate harm.
“The continued burning of oil and gas is why we are seeing more extreme weather like Storm Eowyn and flooding that have claimed lives and caused hundreds of millions of pounds in damage and clean-up costs, not to mention the devastation it’s causing in other countries.
“Most people are now joining the dots with endless oil and gas drilling and are worried about the future.”
The former Conservative-led UK government approved Shell’s proposals to develop the Jackdaw field in 2022, and cleared Equinor and Ithaca Energy’s plans to drill in the Rosebank field in September 2023.
In a judgement published on Thursday, Lord Ericht said the decision to grant consent was unlawful, and ruled the consent should be “reduced” (quashed) and reconsidered.
He said there was a public interest in having the decision “remade on a lawful basis” because of the effects of climate change.
This is the latest in a string of fossil fuel cases frustrated in the courts.
A Shell spokesman called for swift action from the Government in response to the ruling.
He said: “Today’s ruling rightly allows work to progress on this nationally important energy project while new consents are sought.
“We have spent more than £800 million since the regulator approved Jackdaw in 2022.
“Swift action is needed from the Government so that we and other North Sea operators can make decisions about vital UK energy infrastructure.
“When operational, Jackdaw would provide enough fuel to heat 1.4 million UK homes, at a time when older gas fields are reaching the end of their production and the UK is reliant on imported gas to meet its energy needs.”
An Equinor spokesman said: “We welcome today’s ruling and are pleased with the outcome which allows us to continue with progressing the Rosebank project while we await new consents.
“Rosebank is critical for the UK’s economic growth, with an estimated 77% (£6.6billion) of total direct investment benefiting UK businesses.
“Equinor and its Rosebank JV partner, Ithaca, have already committed over £2.2billion on developing Rosebank – awarding vital contracts across the supply chain and employing personnel to deliver the work.”
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: “The government has already consulted on revised environmental guidance to take into account emissions from burning extracted oil and gas to provide stability for industry, support investment, protect jobs and deliver economic growth.
“We will respond to this consultation as soon as possible and developers will be able to apply for consents under this revised regime.
“Our priority is to deliver a fair, orderly and prosperous transition in the North Sea in line with our climate and legal obligations, which drives towards our clean energy future of energy security, lower bills, and good, long-term jobs.”