Energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is understood to be leaning towards rejecting plans to develop the Rosebank oilfield in the North Sea, officials told the Guardian. The move, if confirmed, would block one of the largest proposed oil projects in UK waters and represents a notable victory for environmental campaigners who have long opposed the development.
Rosebank has been contentious for years, with tensions between proposals to boost domestic hydrocarbon production and the government’s commitments on climate change. Officials described Fahnbulleh as "minded to refuse" approval, language that indicates an intention not to grant the development consent but stops short of a final statutory decision.
The report comes days after Fahnbulleh approved the smaller Jackdaw gasfield, a decision that drew criticism and protests from some environmental groups. That prior approval underscored the delicate balancing act facing the energy secretary, who must weigh economic and energy security arguments from the oil and gas sector against environmental and climate considerations.
Industry figures have warned that blocking Rosebank would be a blow to the North Sea sector, which has argued that domestic production supports jobs, investment and energy security. Climate campaigners, by contrast, hailed the reported position as a significant step towards meeting the country’s emissions targets and phasing down reliance on new fossil fuel projects.
No final decision has been announced and the government has not published a formal refusal. Officials’ comments indicate Fahnbulleh’s current inclination, but the matter may still proceed through further internal processes before a conclusive determination is made.