Controversial Approval: UK Greenlights Massive North Sea Oilfield Development

Britain has approved Equinor's North Sea Rosebank field, one of its largest oil and gas projects in years, despite opposition from environmentalists. The government prioritized energy security and stated that Rosebank would be less emissions-intensive than older developments. The plan includes electrifying the extraction process, with production expected to start in 2026/27. Critics argue that the approval contradicts the country's net-zero emissions target. The field is projected to produce 300 million barrels of oil and is a significant contributor to the economy, supporting jobs and tax revenues. Equinor and Ithaca Energy will invest $3.8 billion in the first phase of the field's development.