In response to the UK Government approving the Jackdaw gas field and confirming production will start this month, Professor John Underhill, the University of Aberdeen's Director for Energy Transition gave his reaction.
He said: "The UK’s currently relies on gas to provide heat and cooking hobs in 23 million homes (85% of the housing stock). Gas-fired power stations also supplied over a quarter of our electricity last year and met over a half of our electricity needs on cold, dark and windless winter nights and on stiflingly hot, still, summer ones.
"UK gas production is no longer sufficient to meet the country’s needs. Domestic gas only meets just over two fifths of our supply now, meaning the country must import the remaining three fifths. The latter comes largely through pipelines from Norway or imports of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) much of which is sourced from the United States through fracking shale and shipped here.
"Given our continued dependence on gas, Jackdaw’s environmental approval is an important moment for the industry and the country as it is the largest undeveloped gas field in the UK.
"As the Jackdaw platform is already on location, it is in position to supply gas to heat our homes, cooking hobs and the electricity supply we will need on cold, dark and windless nights in a few weeks and will provide the UK with the gas it requires this winter.
"Looking ahead, the Jackdaw field is expected to produce gas for the best part of the next decade and with flows that are equivalent to the needs of half of the homes in Scotland and 6% of UK supply.
"The fact that Jackdaw has now passed the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment & Decommissioning (OPRED)’s rigorous climate compatibility test to evaluate its emissions and carbon footprint holds an even greater long-term significance because it sets a precedent for other UK gas discoveries to be developed and come on stream. Consequently, there is now a greater potential for those gas discoveries to be tied-back to existing infrastructure, something that can extend the life of domestic gas production.
"In an instant, the Government has unlocked gas supplies that will protect jobs in the sector, provide support for the supply chain, enhance energy security, ensure new tax revenues will be raised that can help address the cost-of-living crisis, be better for our balance of payments; and guarantee lower emissions compared to liquid natural gas (LNG) we would otherwise need to import.
"Although the Jackdaw outcome is a timely move that will be welcomed by the sector, outstanding questions remain regarding oil projects like Rosebank and Cambo, whether the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) will be removed or revised, and future licensing opportunities. Until these issues are also addressed and resolved, sector confidence and industry investment in the UK will remain low."