Rosebank: Life on the oil field at the centre of a political storm

Key Points:

• The Rosebank oil field, located 80 miles northwest of Shetland, is at the center of a political and environmental debate as the UK government considers approval for its gas and oil production, which could generate higher greenhouse gas emissions than the recently approved Jackdaw field.
• The floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO) Petrojarl Rosebank operates in one of the harshest environments globally, with a skilled crew of 122 managing complex offshore operations and enjoying good living conditions despite challenging weather.
• Environmental campaigners, including groups like Uplift and Greenpeace, oppose the project, citing climate impact concerns and legal challenges that previously ruled earlier approvals unlawful due to insufficient environmental assessment.
• Supporters, including project owners Adura and Ithaca, argue Rosebank will contribute significantly to UK energy supply and tax revenues, with potential to heat 500,000 homes and pave the way for additional gas developments in the region.
• The UK government’s decision on Rosebank is expected before Christmas amid ongoing tensions between economic benefits, energy security, and climate commitments, with the project’s future uncertain as stormy weather and political storms loom.