Britain Faces a North Sea Crossroads as Jackdaw and Rosebank Await Approval

The impending decision by the UK government over whether to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank fields will mark a pivotal moment in the history and future of the North Sea. Almost £11bn of private investment waits in the wings, and the outcome of this decision will be a marker of whether Britain can regain its reputation as a serious place to invest in energy. Approval would send a positive signal, but the issue is far bigger than two projects. Years of policy instability under consecutive governments, restrictions on new drilling and the Energy...