World

Rosebank: UK's largest undeveloped oil field production delayed to 2027

Herz — World Desk · 25 July 2026 at 16:47 · 30s summary · 4 min read

The essentials

Rosebank, the UK's largest undeveloped oil and gas field, will not produce before 2027. On 18 April 2026, two drilling tools fell 1,100 meters deep from the platform operating on the site in the North Sea. No workers were injured. According to The Guardian, the platform leased from Norwegian drilling company Odfjell Drilling was repaired in Bergen before returning to the site without yet being operational. Operator Adura is now delaying the start of production to 2027, originally planned for end 2026. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh must decide following the August 2026 consultation.

18 April 2026: two drilling tools fell 1,100 metres deep from the platform; no workers injured.
Rosebank production delayed to 2027, originally planned for end 2026.
Platform downtime could last up to four months per Odfjell Drilling internal documents.
Rosebank estimated at 300 million barrels over 25-year lifespan.
Energy Secretary Fahnbulleh to decide on both fields following August 2026 consultation.

What we know

On 18 April 2026, two pieces of drilling equipment, including a safety valve, fell 1,100 meters below the surface from a platform operating on the Rosebank field in the North Sea. No workers were injured, according to The Guardian.

The platform was leased by operator Adura from Norwegian drilling company Odfjell Drilling. It was taken for repairs to a shipyard in Bergen, Norway, then returned to the Rosebank site — but is not yet operational. Internal Odfjell Drilling documents indicate the downtime could last up to four months, causing delays in completing certain wells.

Adura now indicates that production will not begin until 2027, pushing back the original deadline of end 2026.

Rosebank and Jackdaw: Two fields awaiting approval

Rosebank is the UK's largest undeveloped oil and gas field. Located approximately 130 km northwest of Shetland, it is projected to produce 300 million barrels of oil over a 25-year lifespan, according to industry estimates.

Adura also operates the Jackdaw gas field, located approximately 240 km east of Aberdeen. The company told the BBC in the week of 25 July 2026 that Jackdaw could produce gas as early as October 2026. An environmental impact study filed by Adura states the field would create only 27 full-time direct jobs.

A politically charged dossier

The licenses for Rosebank and Jackdaw were granted under the Conservative government. Operations were subsequently suspended following a legal challenge brought by environmental groups.

Ed Miliband, the current Foreign Secretary, had called Rosebank projects 'climate vandalism' when Labour was in opposition. Discussions are reported to have taken place within the government on how to allow new drilling without breaching the commitments of Labour's 2024 manifesto.

climate vandalism
— Ed Miliband, Foreign Secretary, on Rosebank projects when he was in opposition

Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces pressure from unions and opposition parties to increase North Sea production. His 2024 manifesto committed not to issue new licenses while honouring existing ones.

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is expected to make a decision on the future of both fields following the conclusion of consultations on their emissions, scheduled for August 2026.