Cabinet split over approval of North Sea Rosebank oilfield

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 25 Oct, 20:56 · Archive

A disagreement has emerged within the UK cabinet over whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea.

A disagreement has emerged within the UK cabinet over the Rosebank oilfield, a major undeveloped oil and gas field in the North Sea. Chancellor John Healey supports approving the licence, whilst Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is leaning towards rejecting it over environmental concerns. The decision rests with Fahnbulleh, though the Prime Minister is expected to make the final call if there is conflict.

Fahnbulleh has distinguished Rosebank from the smaller Jackdaw gasfield, which she recently approved. She told the Guardian that the rationale for Jackdaw – that the UK would rely on gas during its transition to net zero and should source it from relatively low-carbon North Sea sources rather than importing it – does not apply to Rosebank because it is primarily an oilfield for export rather than a gasfield for domestic use.

The Daily Mail reports that Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham are plotting to override Fahnbulleh's opposition, citing pressures from the Budget including high borrowing costs and the need for economic growth. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has previously described such proposals as 'climate vandalism'. The field contains around 500 million barrels of oil, located 80 miles west of the Shetlands.

How it is being reported

• Opposition ratchets up pressure on government to support Rosebank ahead of BudgetThe Government approved the Jackdaw gas field but has not yet ruled on the larger Rosebank oil projectThe Independent · 25 Oct, 22:00
• Cabinet split emerges over controversial Rosebank oilfield decisionChancellor is in favour the North Sea project, but energy secretary has said she is leaning towards rejecting it A cabinet split has emerged over whether to approve drilling at the Rosebank oilfield, with the chancellor, John Healey, in favour of the controversial North Sea project. The energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, is ultimately in charge of the decision and the Guardian reported last week that she was leaning towards rejecting it after granting permission for the smaller Jackdaw gasfield. Continue reading...Guardian World · 25 Oct, 20:29
• MAIL ON SUNDAY COMMENT: A victory for common sense in the battle with eco-zealotsIt is very welcome news that - as we report today - Premier Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey have decided to give the go-ahead to the Rosebank oil and gas field in the North Sea.Daily Mail · 25 Oct, 00:34
• Andy Burnham and John Healey set to defy eco-zealot Ed Miliband by giving Rosebank oil field green lightThe Prime Minister and Chancellor John Healey are plotting to override the opposition of Mr Miliband and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh by pumping Rosebank's 500 million barrels of oil.Daily Mail · 24 Oct, 22:06

In this story: Andy Burnham · John Healey · Miatta Fahnbulleh · Ed Miliband · Rosebank · North Sea · Jackdaw · Shetlands

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem