Jackdaw gasfield would create only 27 direct full-time jobs, documents show
Documents show that the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea would create only 27 direct full-time jobs, contradicting claims by the fossil fuel industry that new oil and gas developments are vital for employment.
Intelligence analysis by Llama
The Jackdaw gasfield, one of the biggest gasfields remaining in the North Sea, would create only 27 direct full-time jobs, according to industry documents. The fossil fuel industry is lobbying for the field to be given the go-ahead, but green campaigners say the impact on the UK economy would be minimal.
Imagine a big bus with 27 people on it. That's how many direct jobs the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea would create, according to industry documents. The fossil fuel industry is saying that new oil and gas developments are vital for employment, but green campaigners say this is not true.
Analysis
A $60B Vote of Confidence
The Jackdaw gasfield, one of the biggest gasfields remaining in the North Sea, has been touted as a major economic boost for the UK. However, industry documents reveal that the field would create only 27 direct full-time jobs, contradicting claims by the fossil fuel industry that new oil and gas developments are vital for employment. The documents, filed publicly by the field's owner, Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Norway's Equinor, show that the field would support a consistent level of employment averaging nearly 500 jobs a year in direct, indirect, and induced employment. However, this includes 273 direct jobs that exist on the Shearwater host installation and an additional 27 Jackdaw-specific jobs. The industry's claims of tax revenues from the projects are also under scrutiny, with Uplift arguing that the tax reliefs offered on developments would largely outweigh any returns. The British public would carry almost all of the costs of the development of Rosebank in the form of tax breaks, the group argues. Labour made a manifesto promise that no new oil or gas licences would be issued. However, both fields were in the licensing system at the last general election, so proponents argue they can go ahead without breaching the commitment. Green campaigners have attacked the loophole as against the spirit of the pledge.
Why Cursor?
The fossil fuel industry is lobbying Andy Burnham, the incoming prime minister, for Jackdaw and Rosebank to be given the go-ahead. Advocates say the sites would support thousands of jobs. However, green campaigners say the impact on the UK economy of exploiting the fields would be minimal. Angharad Hopkinson, a political campaigner at Greenpeace, said: 'Fossil fuel cheerleaders have repeatedly defended new oil and gas developments by claiming they are vital for employment. Those claims look increasingly difficult to justify when the developer's own documents tell a very different story.' Tessa Khan, the executive director of Uplift, said: 'It would be a mistake if the first thing Andy Burnham does as prime minister is cave into the demands of the profiteering oil and gas industry.'
The Road Ahead
The platform for drilling Jackdaw will be unstaffed for most of its operating life. Much of the construction has already taken place in Norway, with limited scope for UK workers. Hopkinson said: '[This] confirms it's never been workers who stand to gain most from projects like Jackdaw – it's fossil fuel companies and their shareholders. If this is the best case they can make for more oil and gas under a collapsing climate, it's a case that's run out of road.' Adura said Jackdaw would support additional jobs in the supply chain. A spokesperson said: 'Jackdaw and Rosebank will support 3,500 jobs at peak construction with 880 high-quality, well-paid jobs sustained throughout production in communities across the UK.'
Key points
- The Jackdaw gasfield would create only 27 direct full-time jobs, according to industry documents.
- The fossil fuel industry is lobbying Andy Burnham, the incoming prime minister, for Jackdaw and Rosebank to be given the go-ahead.
- Green campaigners say the impact on the UK economy of exploiting the fields would be minimal.
- The industry's claims of tax revenues from the projects are under scrutiny.
- The Jackdaw gasfield would create carbon dioxide equivalent to 70% of the UK's annual emissions.
If the Jackdaw gasfield is given the go-ahead, it could support additional jobs in the supply chain, according to Adura. However, green campaigners say that the impact on the UK economy would be minimal and that the industry's claims of tax revenues from the projects are under scrutiny.
The Jackdaw gasfield would create carbon dioxide equivalent to 70% of the UK's annual emissions, which is 'undeniably significant', according to Tessa Khan, the executive director of Uplift. The field would not meaningfully boost UK energy supplies, and the industry's claims of tax revenues from the projects are under scrutiny.
