The Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea will create only 27 direct full-time jobs, according to newly uncovered documents. This number is smaller than the capacity of a standard London bus top deck, raising serious questions about the employment promises made by fossil fuel advocates.
Jackdaw Gasfield Employment Breakdown
The environmental impact assessment filed by Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Norway’s Equinor, reveals that over the field’s lifetime, employment averages nearly 500 jobs per year. However, this includes 273 direct jobs on the existing Shearwater host installation and just 27 additional roles specific to Jackdaw.
Green campaigners argue that these figures expose the exaggerated job creation claims used to justify new North Sea drilling. Angharad Hopkinson of Greenpeace stated, “Fossil fuel cheerleaders have repeatedly defended new oil and gas developments by claiming they are vital for employment. Those claims look increasingly difficult to justify.”
Comparison of Job Creation: Jackdaw vs Other Industries
| Sector | Project | Direct Jobs Created |
|---|---|---|
| Oil & Gas | Jackdaw Gasfield | 27 |
| Renewable Energy | Average Offshore Wind Farm | 1,000+ |
| Retail | Large Supermarket | 300–500 |
Political and Economic Implications
The fossil fuel industry, along with political figures from the Conservatives, Reform UK, and some Labour members, has been lobbying Prime Minister Andy Burnham to approve Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield. Advocates claim these sites would support thousands of jobs, but the documents tell a different story.
Tessa Khan, executive director of Uplift, warned, “It would be a mistake if the first thing Andy Burnham does as prime minister is cave into the demands of the profiteering oil and gas industry. These are companies that have made obscene profits, while our energy costs have skyrocketed.”
Key Takeaways
- Only 27 direct full-time jobs will be created by the Jackdaw gasfield.
- The total employment figure of 500 includes existing jobs on the Shearwater platform.
- Greenpeace and Uplift challenge the narrative that new drilling is vital for employment.
- New North Sea drilling will not reduce household energy bills.
FAQ
How many direct jobs will the Jackdaw gasfield create?
Only 27 direct full-time jobs, according to the environmental impact assessment filed by Adura.
Who owns the Jackdaw gasfield?
The Jackdaw gasfield is owned by Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Equinor.
Will new North Sea drilling lower energy bills?
Campaigners say no. Tessa Khan of Uplift stated that new drilling will not take a penny off bills and will only enrich executives and shareholders.