After recent public disruptions and backlash, Shell has come forward on behalf of the Jackdaw project. In its annual report that was released last week, Shell has played down the risk of the Jackdaw project, and stated “there is a relatively low risk of disruption.” This may seem a bit confusing, especially to those in the UK that have been protesting this project since its conception. Back in June of 2022, UK’s Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment (OPRED) gave the project a green light after months of back and forth with Shell and the project’s regulator. After approval of the project’s renewed focus on energy security, Jackdaw went into production.
According to Shell and the project’s investors, Jackdaw will be able to produce gas for 1.4 million homes in the UK, and the emitted carbon emissions are to be captured and stored. At peak production, Jackdaw is estimated to yield about 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, which can account for 6% or more of the UK’s North Sea gas production. Estimated for a 2025 start-up date, Shell has gone on record stating they will spend around 500 million GBP in the UK specifically for the deliverance of this project. But, not just one day after the investment was solidified, Greenpeace struck.
Greenpeace took legal action against the UK government back in the Summer of 2022, regarding the negligence of the Jackdaw gas field project that is located off the coast of Aberdeen. According to Greenpeace, the UK government has failed to check the environmental impact this field has had on the burning of gas.
“The government knows very well that more than 80% of the emissions produced happen at this stage, and they know its disastrous for the climate. They also know Jackdaw will do nothing to help the UK tackle the energy crisis because Shell will sell the gas to the highest bidder on the international market. Instead, the Government should focus on cheap, homegrown renewables to make sure we have reliable access to affordable energy," stated Oil and Gas Campaigner for Greenpeace UK, Philip Evans.
There have been public displays of unrest and frustration from UK citizens. Protesting outside government buildings in hopes of calling environmental justice to action. We have seen these representations during the Brexit controversy in 2020, current ‘Just Stop Oil’ rallies and demonstrations along with those gathered to protest new oil and gas projects from the ‘Extinction Rebellion.’ The UK has become known for harboring strong climate activists, many of which have become victims of scrutiny and unlawful legal action for speaking on behalf of environmental justice.
Greenpeace is currently seeking a judicial review made by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and the North Sea Transition Authority on environmental impact grounds. Details on this review or the date of publication has not yet been disclosed.
“Make no mistake, Greenpeace stands ready to take the Government to court any time it unlawfully approves new fossil fuel projects," concluded Evans.
