The UK government has approved the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea, with production expected to start this month and boost domestic gas output by around 6% at peak. The field is licensed and will operate for up to 11 years, supporting jobs and adding an estimated £2.9 billion to the economy. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that requires environmental impact assessments to include emissions from burning extracted fossil fuels. Alongside the approval, the Chancellor announced a new Energy Wealth Fund, seeded with £2 billion from North Sea tax revenues, to invest in renewable and low-carbon energy. The government argues the move balances energy security with climate commitments, while still planning to phase out new oil and gas licenses. The article also covers new Transitional Energy Certificates for tiebacks and a decommissioning push in the North Sea.
