North Sea leader urges Burnham to unlock larger pipeline of oil and gas projects

Offshore Energies UK chief David Whitehouse appealed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to move from rhetoric to action on his reindustrialisation agenda by opening a “bigger pipeline” of North Sea oil and gas projects. The request comes as ministers are expected to decide soon on the Jackdaw gas field, which developers say will help meet winter gas demand, though it would only cover about 2 % of UK needs. Whitehouse warned that a lack of support could erode Scotland’s offshore supply chains, jeopardising both traditional fossil-fuel operations and the growth of floating wind and carbon storage projects.

He cited five additional projects, including Cambo and Tornado, that could proceed without new exploration licences under a Labour-proposed energy independence bill. The sector also wants the energy profits levy to be brought forward from 2030 to next year, hoping the budget will include a new oil and gas revenue levy. Whitehouse argued that sustaining domestic production would generate billions in investment, tax revenue and jobs, while underpinning future renewable ambitions.