Today Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is asking businesses, organisations, workers and anyone interested in the future success of the UK North Sea to add their names to our new open letter calling on the UK Government to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank developments.
The letter calls on the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to make "timely and positive decisions" on the consideration and consent of these two strategically important North Sea projects.
We believe Jackdaw and Rosebank represent a major opportunity to strengthen the UK economy, improve energy security, reduce reliance on imports and support thousands of jobs across the country.
More than £3billion has already been invested in preparing the developments and, over their lifetimes, they are expected to support more than £28billion in additional economic activity. Combined, Jackdaw and Rosebank will make a multibillion-pound contribution to UK tax revenues over the coming years
The projects are supporting around 3,500 jobs during construction and development, with 880 jobs sustained throughout production, including 125 apprenticeships.
At a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty, we believe approving these projects would also strengthen the UK's energy security. Both projects can make a meaningful contribution to UK energy supplies, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening national energy security.
If you agree, we'd encourage you to add your name before the letter is submitted to the UK Government. Together, we can send a clear message that timely decisions on these nationally important projects are essential for jobs, investment, energy security and economic growth.
Click here to sign the letter.
What the letter says
The text of the letter reads as follows:
Dear Prime Minister, Chancellor, and Secretary of State,
We, the undersigned, represent businesses, workers, communities and organisations from across the United Kingdom who have a shared interest in the future success of the North Sea and the economic opportunities it supports.
The North Sea has powered the UK economy for generations. Today, it remains central to our energy security, industrial capability, skilled workforce and prosperity. As the UK navigates a period of economic uncertainty, geopolitical instability and energy transition, decisions about the future of our domestic energy resources have never been more important.
It is in that context that we urge the Government to make timely and positive decisions on the consideration and consent of key North Sea developments, including Jackdaw and Rosebank.
A significant opportunity for economic growth and jobs
The UK faces difficult choices about how to fund public services, strengthen infrastructure, support defence and accelerate economic growth. Projects such as Jackdaw and Rosebank offer an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to those objectives without requiring direct public subsidy.
Together, these developments are expected to generate billions of pounds in tax revenues for the UK Exchequer over the coming decade, providing additional resources that can be invested in Government priorities including the wider energy transition.
More than £3 billion has already been invested in preparing these projects for production. Across their operational lifetimes, they are expected to support over £28 billion in economic activity, much of it benefiting those parts of the UK with strong energy supply chains.
The employment benefits are equally significant. 3,500 jobs are supported by Jackdaw and Roseabank during construction and development, with 880 sustained throughout production, including 125 apprenticeships. These opportunities extend well beyond offshore operations, supporting manufacturers, engineers, service companies, ports, technology businesses and more across communities throughout the UK.
Strengthening Britain’s energy security and reduce import reliance
Recent events have demonstrated the importance of secure and reliable energy supplies. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ongoing instability in the Middle East and volatility in global energy markets have reinforced the strategic value of domestic energy production.
While the UK continues to invest in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies, oil and gas remain essential to the nation's energy mix and will do so for many years to come. Producing a greater share of these resources domestically is the most practical way to reduce exposure to geopolitical risk while maintaining affordability and resilience.
Projects such as Jackdaw and Rosebank can make a meaningful contribution to UK energy supplies, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening national energy security.
Jackdaw and Rosebank can make up to 10% of domestic natural gas production combined. Jackdaw alone could provide over 6% of UK gas supply – enough to heat 1.4 million British homes by this winter. Rosebank could represent 10% of UKCS oil production, making a significant contribution to security of supply for North-West Europe.
If these resources are not produced in the UK, demand will not disappear. Instead, equivalent volumes will need to be imported from overseas, often from regions with higher geopolitical risk and weaker environmental standards, while foregoing the jobs, investment and tax revenues that domestic production provides.
Furthermore, many proposed new UK developments are being designed to operate with emissions intensities significantly below global averages and substantially lower than many imported energy sources. Supporting responsibly produced domestic energy can therefore help reduce the overall emissions associated with meeting the UK's ongoing energy needs.
The time for decisions is now if we want more energy sooner
These projects have been subject to extensive scrutiny, consultation and environmental assessment under some of the most rigorous regulatory standards in the world.
Businesses have invested billions of pounds, supply chains have committed resources, and workers and communities have planned for the opportunities these projects could bring. The infrastructure is being prepared. The workforce is ready.
What is now required is certainty.
A clear and timely decision from Government would send a powerful signal that the UK's regulatory system is capable of reaching decisions, balancing economic growth, energy security and environmental responsibilities in a predictable and credible way.
At a time when investment is increasingly mobile and international competition for capital is intensifying, prolonged uncertainty risks undermining confidence not only in these projects but in the UK's wider investment environment.
Our call for action from Government
We therefore call on the Government to make timely and positive decisions on the consideration and consent of these strategically important projects.
In doing so, the Government can demonstrate that the responsible development of the UK's domestic energy resources remains a national priority; that economic growth, energy security and environmental stewardship can be pursued together; and that the future of the North Sea will be shaped by clear decisions rather than indefinite delay.
The UK has an opportunity to secure investment, jobs, energy and economic value for the benefit of current and future generations. We urge you to seize it.
Yours sincerely,
Sign the letter
If you wish to add your name, your company's name, or both, to the letter, follow the line below to input your details.
Click here to sign the letter.