Brief
Aberdeen residents welcome approval of Jackdaw gas field amid economic decline
The decision to green‑light drilling at the Jackdaw field was met with relief by offshore workers, despite criticism over its limited job impact and climate concerns.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Aberdeen residents expressed relief after the UK government approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field, a development the Guardian reported on 21 October 2026.
What happened
The Jackdaw field, located about 150 miles offshore, received official approval on 21 October 2026. The field is expected to supply roughly 2 % of the United Kingdom’s gas demand for about a decade, according to the Guardian’s coverage.
What the reports add
The Guardian noted that critics argue the field will create few jobs because it will be largely unmanned and operated remotely. Tessa Khan, executive director of the anti‑oil campaign group Uplift, said the project has been “oversold” and will not halt the broader decline in North Sea employment. In contrast, offshore workers at Aberdeen’s heliport voiced optimism, saying the field will help them keep up mortgage payments and sustain their livelihoods.
What was said
"Jackdaw means we pay our mortgages," said a female offshore cleaner who works on a rig, as quoted by the Guardian. Another offshore worker added, "Short term, the green industry isn’t going to replace this. It’s a slow process. You can’t expect it to happen overnight." Scott, an assistant at a men’s clothing shop, lamented the loss of a fund that could have saved oil wealth for the city, telling the Guardian, "Years ago, a fund should have been set up that saved some of the oil money for Aberdeen. But that’s long gone." A woman on Union Street observed the stark change in the city centre, noting, "Twenty years ago this street was full. Now it is so quiet."
How it came about
Aberdeen’s economy has struggled since a 2014 oil‑price shock, with disposable income falling nearly 20 % between 2013 and 2023 – the steepest decline among large UK cities, according to the Guardian. The city’s oil‑rich past, once marked by high concentrations of millionaires and bustling office conversions, has given way to vacant shops and demolition of former Marathon Oil offices. The Jackdaw approval follows a broader governmental push to secure winter energy supplies while attempting to balance renewable‑energy targets.
Key facts
- The UK government approved drilling at the Jackdaw gas field on 21 October 2026. (theguardian.com)
- Jackdaw is expected to supply about 2 % of UK gas demand for roughly ten years. (theguardian.com)
- Aberdeen’s disposable income fell nearly 20 % between 2013 and 2023, the largest drop among large UK cities. (theguardian.com)
- Workers said the field would help them meet mortgage payments, while critics say it will create few jobs. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘Jackdaw means we pay our mortgages’: relief in Aberdeen over gasfield approval”
