Supply chain firms urge UK government to give green light to Jackdaw gas field

Published responses to a consultation on the Jackdaw project show support from engineering and manufacturing companies, specialist energy businesses, aviation and logistics providers, an independent technical consultancy and the UK’s not-for-profit energy skills body.

Companies from Newcastle, Cornwall, Norfolk and across Scotland warned delays are making it harder to recruit and retain skilled workers, commit to new investment and plan future activity.

They said jobs and expertise are already being redirected overseas.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham had been expected to announce the go-ahead for Jackdaw in the coming days, but there are now reports a decision has been delayed until the late autumn. The Rosebank oil field off Shetland is also thought likely to be approved later this year.

READ MORE: North Sea: UK Government set to approve Jackdaw oilfield

Jackdaw and Rosebank together represent around £10.8 billion of private sector investment.

TechnipFMC, an engineering and manufacturing company based in Newcastle and employing around 2,000 people in the UK, said: “A timely decision on both Jackdaw and Rosebank would provide greater certainty for companies like ours to plan, invest, retain critical skills, and support employment across the UK energy supply chain.

“Without timely consent, there is a risk that capacity, expertise, and investment across the North Sea supply chain will be delayed, reduced, or redirected.

“These projects matter beyond the individual developments. Together, Jackdaw and Rosebank represent a significant economic and industrial opportunity for the UK supply chain, supporting jobs, skills, investment, and long-term confidence across the sector.”

Kernow Analytical Technology, a specialist laboratory based in North Petherwin, Cornwall, said: “Projects like Jackdaw and Rosebank are the lifeblood of a sprawling UK-wide supply chain.

“Prolonged regulatory delays severely impair our ability to make decisive operational choices - stalling essential local investment and freezing recruitment.

“The economic benefits of approving these developments extend far beyond the North Sea. They filter directly down to nationwide supply chain businesses like ours in regions far removed from the offshore hubs.”

In its submission, Bureau Veritas Solutions Marine & Offshore, an engineering and technical consultancy, said: “The prolonged uncertainty surrounding this decision, combined with the current downturn in the UK Continental Shelf offshore energy sector, has forced us to implement protective measures: we have frozen all UK recruitment, are considering redundancies among our UK workforce, and are evaluating overseas relocation of roles and capabilities.

“These actions are direct consequences of our inability to plan with confidence pending your decision.”

In a letter to Mr Burnham, Scottish Conservative MP Andrew Bowie, the shadow energy secretary, said there was” absolutely no acceptable reason to postpone a decision any further”.

He added: “When you became Prime Minster, you said that you wanted to make government more about problem solving than point scoring. Now is your opportunity to put the interests of the country first.

“Workers are ready, the equipment is in place, do not delay this any further. Tuesday is the last day before Parliament rises for recess. Will your government announce a decision by then or will you leave industry with more uncertainty?”

A spokesperson for the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: “Our North Sea future plan will build a prosperous and sustainable future for the North Sea.

“We are focused on driving growth in every postcode and delivering jobs for communities – with clean power expected to create 400,000 roles by 2030.”