Trump Praises Burnham's Jackdaw Approval, Urges UK to 'Go Full Blast' on North Sea

Key points

• Donald Trump praised Andy Burnham for approving the Jackdaw gas field, contrasting him with former PM Keir Starmer, whom he described as someone who 'never got it done.'
• The Jackdaw platform, operated by a Shell and Equinor joint venture, is located 150 miles east of Aberdeen and is expected to produce gas by the end of October 2026.
• Trump urged the UK to go 'full blast' on North Sea resources, though he confused oil and gas in his comments, calling the region one of the world's most prosperous oil areas.
• Burnham and Trump discussed the Falkland Islands' Sea Lion oilfield project and Ukraine's access to Starlink satellite technology during their Friday talks.
• Environmental groups, including Greenpeace and Oxfam, criticized the decision, arguing it harms climate efforts and provides no meaningful energy security, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Burnham of 'dithering.'
• Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh stated that Jackdaw gas would not lower energy bills this winter but is compatible with net-zero commitments, and the government remains opposed to new oil and gas licenses.

Background

The UK government approved the Jackdaw gas field on October 21, 2026, reversing a 2024 moratorium. The decision was framed as essential for energy security amid rising costs from the Iran war, accompanied by a £2 billion fund to support renewables. Critics argued the move undermined climate goals, particularly ahead of a UN climate summit in Turkey. The larger Rosebank oil field decision remains pending, with Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh likely to reject it due to export focus and carbon emissions.

Why it matters

The Jackdaw approval highlights the tension between immediate energy security and long-term climate goals. While the field offers limited long-term energy security (1.6% of demand by 2036), it signals a shift in UK energy policy under Burnham. Trump's endorsement underscores US support for increased North Sea extraction, potentially influencing future decisions on fields like Rosebank and the Falkland Islands' Sea Lion project.

What to watch

The UK government will decide whether to approve production at the Rosebank oil field, the UK's largest untapped oil field. Environmental groups and political opponents will continue to challenge the Jackdaw approval, while the government will monitor the impact of the new energy wealth fund on renewables. The UK and US will continue discussions on the Falkland Islands' Sea Lion oilfield project and Ukraine's access to Starlink technology.