The UK government is expected to grant approval to the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea this month, and may greenlight the Rosebank oil field later this year, media outlets reported Friday, citing sources.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is set to give her go-ahead to the Jackdaw field in Aberdeen as soon as next week, while a formal approval could follow a week later, The Guardian reported.
The gas field could start production as early as this winter if the approval is given as expected, the Financial Times said, although this could be opposed by climate and environmental groups.
The Rosebank project, which is still under environmental assessment, may also gather opposition if approved. A decision on the UK's largest undeveloped oil field is likely to be given later this year, sources told The Guardian.
Environmental campaigners cited by the news agency said operating the fields could produce as much as 336 billion British pounds ($453.94 billion) in carbon pollution damages.
Adura, a joint venture between Shell (SHEL) and Equinor (EQNR), is the developer of the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields. It received development consent for the projects in 2022 and 2023, respectively, but had to reapply for authorization following a 2025 court ruling favoring climate activists.
The UK's energy department did not immediately respond to' request for comment.
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