Why the UK is delaying the Jackdaw gas field decision

The UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to delay a decision on bringing the Jackdaw gas field online until after next month’s parliamentary by-election next-month, further adding unpredictability to the project’s future, according to The Telegraph.

According to earlier media reports this month, the approval for the Shell and Equinor-backed project had been expected on Tuesday, but now the timeline has been pushed back until late autumn.

The October 8 by-election in Holborn and St Pancras was persuaded by the resignation of Burnham’s predecessor. Keir Starmer as a lawmaker is too-close to call by Labour and the Green Party.

The spokesperson statement reads: “Any decision will take into account all relevant evidence, ⁠including ​environmental assessments and public ​representations received during the consultation process.”

The delay comes despite warnings of upcoming gas shortfalls facing Britain this winter, pushing the offshore work required to get gas flowing deeper into the season.

The report further underlined that approval for Jackdaw and the Rosebank project is adamantly opposed by many Labour Party members of Parliament and a delay would allow Burnham to avoid diplomatic confrontations at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this month.