North Sea drilling decision puts Andy Burnham under pressure over Rosebank and Jackdaw

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was weighing whether to allow new North Sea drilling. The choice tested Burnham’s environmental approach and energy plans. Campaigners urged a refusal for two projects north of Scotland. Industry and political opponents pushed for approvals. Officials were expected to decide after consultations ended in August.

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Two developments, Rosebank and Jackdaw, were central to the debate. Supporters said approvals could support jobs and energy supply. Critics said new production would add emissions during severe European heat. Pressure increased as the decision remained pending. The UK faced competing demands on climate promises and household costs.

North Sea drilling projects Rosebank and Jackdaw

Rosebank was an oil field expected to also produce gas. The site sat about 80 miles, or 130 kilometres, north of Scotland’s Shetland Islands. Reports said it could hold 300 million to 500 million barrels. Output was projected across about 25 years. It was described as the UK’s largest undeveloped oil resource.

Jackdaw was a gas field about 150 miles east of Aberdeen. Estimates suggested production could run for less than a decade. The Shell Group, a co-developer, forecast a peak near 6.5 per cent. That share referred to total UK gas production. The Conservative Party said Jackdaw could heat 1.4 million homes this winter.

North Sea drilling approvals challenged in court

Both sites were approved under the former Conservative government. Operations were due to begin later this year. However, a court in Edinburgh overturned the permissions last year. The ruling followed a legal case brought by Greenpeace and another nonprofit. Judge Andrew Stewart cited competing interests when rejecting the approvals.

"The public interest in authorities acting lawfully and the private interest of members of the public in climate change outweigh the private interest of the developers,\" judge Andrew Stewart ruled at the time.

North Sea drilling criticised by climate groups and analysts

Opponents argued that new drilling would not lower bills for most households. They said global markets set prices, limiting any local impact. Critics also said new sites could add carbon pollution without raising true energy security. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit estimated over 90 per cent was already extracted.

\"Weve just had record-breaking heat waves this summer, wildfires, half of the countrys still in drought. Were facing potential crop failures and food shortages this winter from a super El Nino,\" said Victoria Smith, a Fossil Free London activist protesting on Tuesday.

\"Drilling for new oil and gas now... would just be a wild decision, completely reckless by this government,\" she said. Nearly 600 climate and health experts sent a joint letter last month. The group said approvals would break UK climate duties. Critics also questioned Rosebank’s link to Israel’s Delek Group.

North Sea drilling backed by Conservatives, industry and Trump

Supporters said extra drilling would have limited impact on emissions. They argued domestic supply could protect jobs and reduce reliance on imports. Some said importing fuel could create more emissions than UK production. The governing Labour Party was split. Some said approvals would break the 2024 manifesto pledge.

Others inside Labour took a different view. \"If we do not proceed with Jackdaw and Rosebank, investment will leave the UK, jobs will disappear, and expertise will be lost,\" lawmaker Graeme Downie said. The debate grew after US President Donald Trump entered it. Trump claimed Aberdeen residents celebrated reports of approvals.

Trump also criticised former Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s energy policies. In a first call with Trump, Burnham reportedly mentioned North Sea resources. Burnham reportedly said the UK cant ignore resources in the North Sea. Burnham reportedly added Burnham would take a pragmatic approach to further drilling.

The British government did not directly address the approvals question. It said the North Sea remained a vital national asset. The energy security department said evidence would guide the decision. This included environmental assessments and public views from the regulatory process. Burnham still faced pressure from all sides as a decision neared.

With inputs from PTI