UK clears Adura Energy's Jackdaw gas field, promising supply within weeks

Adura Energy received North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) consent to develop the Jackdaw natural gas and condensate field off the coast of northeast Scotland. The consent followed consideration of Adura Energy's environmental statement.

The approval clears the way for Jackdaw to start supplying gas to British homes, power stations and businesses within weeks, according to Adura Energy. Substantially all of the project's physical infrastructure has already been completed.

The NSTA originally granted development consent for Jackdaw to Shell UK in June 2022. That consent was overturned by the Scottish courts in January 2025, following findings that initial environmental approvals had failed to account for the impact of secondary emissions.

The UK government said that because the licence was agreed before it took office, its decision is consistent with its promise not to grant new oil or gas licences. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said the decision is compatible with the country's legally binding climate commitments, and reiterated the goal of achieving net zero by 2050.

Fahnbulleh confirmed that gas supplied from Jackdaw will not bring down energy bills in the UK this winter.

The government will establish an Energy Wealth Fund, which will use tax revenues from North Sea oil and gas to invest in renewable and low-carbon energy projects and support the green transition. The fund will receive an initial GBP 2 billion funding injection. The government has committed to directing tax income from the Jackdaw site into the fund.

Adura Energy is a joint venture formed when Shell and Equinor ASA merged their UK offshore oil and gas businesses.