Shell welcomes UK Government decision on Jackdaw
London - Shell U.K. Limited (Shell UK) has welcomed the UK Government's decision on Jackdaw, describing it as an important step for UK energy security and underlining the need for a stable and predictable environment for future energy investment.
Tony Nunan, Shell UK Country Chair and Chief of Staff, said:
“Shell welcomes the UK Government's decision on Jackdaw. This is an important step in ensuring the UK North Sea can continue to contribute to the country's energy security and economy.
“Long-term energy projects depend on a competitive and stable investment environment, alongside timely and predictable regulatory decisions.
“We will continue to work constructively with Government and Adura to support secure energy, investment and growth in the UK.”
Adura is the operator of Jackdaw and is responsible for progressing the project following today's decision. Shell will continue to support Adura as the project progresses.
FAQs
Q: What is Jackdaw?
Q: What is Jackdaw?
Jackdaw is a natural gas field in the North Sea. Adura is the operator of the project, which will produce gas for the UK energy system.
Q: Wasn't Jackdaw previously approved?
Q: Wasn't Jackdaw previously approved?
Yes. Jackdaw originally received regulatory consent in 2022. Following the UK Supreme Court's 2024 ruling in the Finch case, the Court of Session ruled in January 2025 that the original Jackdaw consent could not stand because the environmental assessment had not considered emissions from the eventual use of the gas. The Court allowed work on Jackdaw to continue while this consent was sought.
The current process follows that ruling and considers Jackdaw under the updated regulatory requirements, including assessment of those downstream emissions.
Q: Didn't the courts rule that Jackdaw's original approval was unlawful? What has changed?
Q: Didn't the courts rule that Jackdaw's original approval was unlawful? What has changed?
The previous court proceedings concerned the consenting process and, specifically, how emissions arising from the eventual use of the gas should be considered. The subsequent regulatory process has addressed the requirements arising from that judgment, and today's decision follows that process.
Q: Why is Jackdaw needed?
Q: Why is Jackdaw needed?
Households, motorists and businesses need a stable supply of oil and gas, which remain a key part of the UK energy mix. After decades of supplying oil and gas, output from the UK North Sea is tailing off and now meets less than 50% of the UK’s demand. It is important to stop it tailing off too steeply, while the transition to low-carbon energy gathers pace. Locally produced, responsible oil and gas production is critical for UK energy security and entirely consistent with a net zero pathway as modelled by the UK’s independent climate advisers, the Climate Change Committee.
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