Approval imminent for Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen
The Jackdaw gas field off Aberdeen is expected to be approved by mid-September, ending a four-year delay and potentially supplying gas by winter.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The Jackdaw gas field, 150 miles east of Aberdeen, is expected to receive government approval within weeks, according to the BBC. The project has been in limbo for four years after a Scottish court ruled that the original consent was unlawfully granted because the environmental impact was not fully assessed.
A new consultation closed in August, and the BBC understands that approval is now imminent, with a decision expected before mid-September. If approved, the owners, Shell and Equinor, say gas could be flowing into UK homes by this winter.
The timing is significant. Gas storage levels across Europe are at or near record lows, and the UK has very limited storage. Gas prices have almost tripled since the start of the year, driven by conflict in the Middle East and unusually high energy use over a hot summer. The UK imports more than half of its gas, so domestic production would reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, according to industry bodies.
But climate groups argue that Jackdaw's contribution to overall energy needs will be negligible, and that the priority should be moving away from volatile gas. They say new drilling drives climate change and does not solve energy security, which can only be met by renewables.
The approval would also come amid rising fuel prices, with petrol expected to hit 163p a litre and oil at $94 a barrel.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News | BBC One |
|---|---|---|
| Approval is expected before mid-September. | ||
| Campaigners say the Jackdaw drilling project would hamper climate efforts. | · | |
| Gas storage levels in the UK and Europe are low. | · | |
| Industry bodies say the Jackdaw project would improve energy security. | · | |
| The project was delayed after a Scottish court ruled consents were unlawfully granted. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC's business editor Simon Jack provided detailed analysis of the approval timeline, the legal history, and the wider energy market context, including low gas storage and rising fuel prices. The report balanced industry and climate arguments, with quotes from both sides.
- “And so I expect it to come before mid-September.”
- “The UK imports over 50% of its gas, so any addition to domestic gas will reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels, so it's got to be good.”
- “New oil and gas drilling is not the answer to what the British public needs right now.”
The World Today focused on the climate versus energy security debate, framing the approval as controversial and highlighting campaigners' concerns about carbon emissions. It also linked the decision to geopolitical tensions in Iran and Ukraine, but did not provide the same level of detail on timing or market conditions as the BBC One West report.
- “Campaigners insist more drilling would hamper efforts to cut carbon emissions as deadly heat waves and extreme weather affect billions of people.”
- “But industry bodies say the sites would improve the UK's energy security as the conflict in Iran and war in Ukraine threaten supplies.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.