Why a North Sea oilfield is emerging as British PM Burnham’s big test

What the report says

Al Jazeera reports that the proposed Rosebank oil and gas development in the North Sea is becoming an early political test for new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The field, described as the UK’s largest untapped oil and gas site, lies about 130km from Shetland. Speculation that Burnham could permit new North Sea drilling has been welcomed by US President Donald Trump, while Burnham and his team have not commented, according to the report.

The project has faced sustained opposition from climate campaigners and some Shetland residents, including Andrea Sanchez Quiroz of Shetland Stop Rosebank, who told Al Jazeera she fears both wider climate harm and local ecological damage. Equinor received approval to drill in 2023, but a legal challenge by Uplift and Greenpeace led to a January 2025 ruling that approvals for Rosebank and Shell’s Jackdaw field were unlawful. Developers must now seek fresh approval that accounts for emissions from the eventual use of extracted fuels.

Al Jazeera says the reassessment process began in September 2025, with final downstream emissions reports submitted in June by Adura, the Shell-Equinor joint venture. A UK public notice period is due to close on August 17, after which Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is expected to decide. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero declined to comment on the individual project.

The report also highlights disputes over jobs, energy security and ownership. Ithaca Energy, a subsidiary of Israel’s Delek Group, holds a 20 percent stake, drawing criticism from Palestine solidarity activists; Ithaca defended its governance, investment and contribution to UK energy security. Supporters say drilling could help the economy, while opponents argue Britain should accelerate a managed transition to renewables.