Jackdaw boss warns of winter fuel shortages if gas field not approved

The chief executive of Adura, the owner of the Jackdaw gas platform in the North Sea, has warned that the UK faces a risk of domestic gas supply shortages this winter if the government does not approve production at the field. Neil McCulloch described the situation as "hyper critical," stating that the project is in its final stages and could meet 6% of the UK's gas needs starting October 1st. He argued that with only about eight days of gas storage, the UK would have limited options in a "gas supply emergency" caused by weather or foreign threats. McCulloch made his comments during a BBC News visit to the Jackdaw field, which is undergoing final checks. The industry regulator is currently considering revised applications for Jackdaw and Adura's Rosebank oil field after a court ruled their previous approvals were unlawful. Environmental campaigners, citing recent deadly heatwaves, are urging the government to reject both projects to tackle climate change. Tessa Khan of the campaign group Uplift called approving new oil and gas fields a "huge betrayal of the British public." McCulloch countered that Jackdaw represents a very small proportion of global emissions and should not bear the burden of climate concerns. He noted that the wells are drilled and the system is being readied for an October 1st start. The debate comes as political pressure mounts on the government, with figures including former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair and US President Donald Trump calling for the UK to "open up the North Sea," though the most accessible fields have largely been drained.