London — Equinor CEO Anders Opedal has warned that failing to secure approval for the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects would be a major setback for the company’s Adura joint venture with Shell in the UK North Sea.
Speaking at the Energy Intelligence Forum in London on Tuesday, Opedal said rejecting Rosebank would conflict with Britain’s goals for energy security and employment. He also cautioned that such a decision could prompt Equinor and other investors to question whether the UK remains an attractive place to invest.
The two projects have emerged as major targets for climate campaigners. Greenpeace and Uplift successfully challenged their original approvals in court over how downstream emissions were considered. The legal challenges overturned those approvals and required the companies to submit new applications in 2025.
Rosebank was approved in 2023, while Jackdaw received approval in 2022 under Britain’s previous Conservative government.
The future of Jackdaw could be known within days. Media reports have said an announcement was postponed until after an October 8 by-election.
The project is already relatively advanced in infrastructure terms. Much of the infrastructure needed for Jackdaw is in place, allowing production to begin this winter if approval is granted.
Rosebank has a longer development schedule. If approved, the project could produce its first oil during the first half of 2027.
Equinor and Shell operate the projects through their Adura joint venture, which was rebranded in 2025. The venture is expected to become the largest oil and gas producer in the UK North Sea.
The projects have consequently become an important test of Britain’s energy policy. Approval would allow Equinor to continue developing its North Sea production plans, while rejection would add further uncertainty for companies investing in the region.
Opedal’s remarks also cast the decisions as an investment issue. Beyond the individual projects, he indicated that regulatory and policy decisions could affect how Equinor and other international energy companies view Britain’s attractiveness for future investment.
The decisions on the Jackdaw and Rosebank applications could therefore have consequences extending beyond their individual production timelines, as Britain weighs energy security and employment alongside climate-related concerns.
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