The Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea would create only 27 direct full-time jobs, according to environmental documents filed by its owner Adura, a joint venture between Shell and Equinor. This startling figure, uncovered by Greenpeace, reveals that fewer people will be directly employed by the gasfield than can fit on the top deck of a standard London bus.
Jackdaw Gasfield Employment Breakdown
The environmental impact assessment shows that over the lifetime of the field, a consistent level of employment averaging nearly 500 jobs per year includes direct, indirect, and induced employment. However, only 27 of those are Jackdaw-specific direct jobs, while 273 existing roles on the Shearwater host installation are counted separately.
| Employment Type | Number of Jobs |
|---|---|
| Direct Jackdaw-specific jobs | 27 |
| Direct jobs on Shearwater host | 273 |
| Indirect and induced jobs | ~200 |
| Total average annual jobs | ~500 |
Industry Claims vs. Reality
Fossil fuel advocates, including the Conservatives and Reform UK, have argued that projects like Jackdaw and the Rosebank oilfield would support thousands of jobs. But green campaigners say the economic impact is minimal. 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 when the developer's own documents tell a very different story."
Political Pressure on Prime Minister
Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces lobbying from the oil and gas industry to approve Jackdaw and Rosebank. However, Tessa Khan 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. New North Sea drilling will not take a penny off our bills, it will just make a handful of executives and their shareholders even richer."
Key Takeaways on Jackdaw Gasfield Jobs
- Only 27 direct jobs will be created by the Jackdaw gasfield, according to official documents.
- The fossil fuel industry claims thousands of jobs, but the developer's own data shows otherwise.
- Greenpeace and Uplift urge the government to prioritize renewable energy over new drilling.
- Approving Jackdaw and Rosebank would benefit executives and shareholders, not the public.
FAQ
How many direct jobs will the Jackdaw gasfield create?
The Jackdaw gasfield will create only 27 direct full-time jobs, according to the environmental impact assessment filed by Adura, a Shell and Equinor joint venture.
Does the Jackdaw gasfield support thousands of jobs as claimed?
No, the developer's own documents show that the total average annual employment, including indirect and induced jobs, is about 500. Direct Jackdaw-specific jobs are only 27, not thousands.
Why are green campaigners opposing the Jackdaw gasfield?
Green campaigners argue that the economic benefits are minimal and that new North Sea drilling will not lower energy bills but will increase profits for oil and gas executives and shareholders.
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