UK government bans new North Sea oil and gas licences

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 01:51 · Archive

The government has introduced legislation to prevent new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, fulfilling a Labour manifesto pledge.

The UK government has introduced the Energy Independence Bill to prevent new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. The legislation would remove the North Sea Transition Authority's power to grant new licences for oil and gas exploration and production. The move fulfils Labour's 2024 manifesto pledge not to issue licences for new oil and gas fields.

The government argues the policy will help meet climate targets and support the transition to clean energy. Ministers have stressed that existing production will not be affected. Major developments including Rosebank, the UK's largest known untapped field approved in 2022, and Jackdaw, recently approved for production, will proceed as planned, though Rosebank faces ongoing legal challenges.

The Energy Independence Bill would introduce Transitional Energy Certificates, allowing existing oil and gas fields to provide additional production from areas bordering or in close proximity to already licensed fields. The government says this could produce about 60 million barrels of oil and support hundreds of jobs across North Sea communities.

The Conservatives have criticised the proposals as "dangerous". Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie called Labour ministers "utterly delusional", warning the move would be "disastrous for the tens of thousands of workers in the oil and gas sector" and leave Britain reliant on imported energy. David Bucknall, chief executive of INEOS Energy, argued the ban would "actively decrease energy security in the UK".

The bill also includes plans to abolish gas standing charges, accelerate grid connections, and establish a £2 billion energy wealth fund to support renewable energy investment. If passed at Westminster, the legislation represents a significant shift in UK energy policy.

How it is being reported

• Labour 'to outlaw new North Sea drilling' under proposed legislationTHE UK Government has introduced legislation aimed at preventing new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.The National · 4 Nov, 20:08
• Labour unveils North Sea oil ban as ministers push for clean energy futureThe Energy Independence Bill will end new exploration licences as Government sets out plans to accelerate renewable power.Daily Record · 4 Nov, 19:17
• UK government to outlaw new North Sea drillingLabour ministers have published legislation that would end the granting of new oil and gas licences.BBC Scotland · 4 Nov, 16:28

In this story: UK government · Labour · North Sea Transition Authority · Rosebank · Shetland · Jackdaw · Andrew Bowie · David Bucknall

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 · Corrections log