Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to signal support for new North Sea oil and gas drilling within days of taking office, with Jackdaw and Rosebank among the projects under consideration.
According to Bloomberg, officials are drawing up plans that could be announced as early as next week, including a willingness to approve the Jackdaw gas field, the Rosebank oil field and an expansion of tie-back developments around existing infrastructure.
While no final decisions have been taken, Burnham is reportedly expected to indicate he is in favour of increased North Sea drilling, although formal approvals for Jackdaw and Rosebank are unlikely until ongoing public consultations conclude.
The report says officials believe approving the projects would not breach Labour's manifesto commitment to ban new oil and gas exploration licences because both developments were licensed under the previous Conservative government.
Burnham will be confirmed as the new Labour leader today. He will then take over from Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister on Monday.
Source: Anerdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce
