UK Jackdaw gasfield to create 27 direct jobs
The developer’s own assessment reveals a minimal permanent workforce for one of the North Sea’s largest remaining gasfields, undermining political arguments for new drilling as the incoming prime minister weighs a decision.
Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Norway’s Equinor, has disclosed that its Jackdaw gasfield will employ just 27 people directly. The drilling platform will be unstaffed for most of its operating life, according to the company's environmental impact assessment.
The figure sharply contrasts with the narrative pushed by the fossil fuel industry and several political parties. Advocates are lobbying incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to approve Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield by claiming the sites will support thousands of jobs.
Adura's documents show that while Jackdaw would average nearly 500 jobs a year across direct, indirect and induced roles, 273 of those are existing positions on the Shearwater host installation. The company projects a combined £28bn gross value added and £1.4bn in immediate tax revenues for both fields, alongside 3,500 peak construction jobs and 880 sustained production roles. However, much of the construction has already taken place in Norway.
Campaigners argue the fiscal benefits are overstated. Uplift argues that because tax reliefs on the developments are so high, the British public will carry almost all of the costs of developing Rosebank. Tessa Khan, the group's executive director, also noted that Rosebank would generate carbon dioxide equivalent to 70% of the UK’s annual emissions.
The debate tests Burnham's commitment to Labour's manifesto promise not to issue new oil and gas licences. Because Jackdaw and Rosebank were already in the licensing system before the election, proponents argue approval would not breach the pledge, a stance green groups attack as a loophole.
Beyond domestic politics, the projects face scrutiny over their actual utility for Europe's energy landscape. Fatih Birol, the world’s leading energy economist, said opening the fields "would do little for the UK’s energy security." Khan added that the Rosebank oil is "overwhelmingly oil for export."
Adura defends the environmental footprint of both fields. The company claims average production emissions intensity could be half the UK continental shelf average and "around eight times lower than emissions intensity associated with imported liquefied natural gas." A public consultation on Jackdaw concludes on 8 August.
