There’s a new name on the North Sea map.

Jackdaw, one of the biggest undeveloped gas fields in UK waters, has been given the green light. Gas is due to start flowing before the end of October, heading straight to homes and businesses across the country.

For Stream Marine Training, our interest is a practical one. We’ve spent years preparing people for life offshore, and every new platform means more crews heading out and more people who’ll need to be ready for the journey.

What Jackdaw Means for UK Oil and Gas

Jackdaw has been in development for several years, and this week’s decision brings that process to a close. Sitting around 150 miles east of Aberdeen, it’s expected to produce around 6% of all UK North Sea gas at its peak. That’s enough to heat the equivalent of 1.4 million homes, and it’s set to keep flowing for up to 11 years.

The benefits reach well beyond the gas itself. The project represents £2.1 billion of investment, and reporting puts its value to the UK economy at around £2.9 billion, with 273 jobs protected. Much of that work runs through the supply chain, so engineering firms, vessel operators, logistics companies and training providers across Scotland all feel the benefit.

There’s an energy security story here too. Every cubic metre of gas produced in the North Sea is one the UK doesn’t need to import, and supporters of the project point out that homegrown gas typically arrives with a smaller carbon footprint than shipped-in alternatives.

For the industry, the decision also brings a degree of certainty, and operators and supply chain businesses have welcomed it. Rosebank, the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea, is next in line for a decision. Whatever the outcome, the North Sea has powered Britain for more than fifty years and will continue to need a skilled offshore workforce.

The Debate Around It

As with most North Sea projects, Jackdaw hasn’t been without debate. Its original consent was overturned in the Scottish courts following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that developers must account for the emissions from burning the fuel they produce. A fresh consultation followed before this week’s decision.

The government says the approval fits with its climate commitments, as the field was licensed and largely built before it took office. Environmental groups take a different view, arguing that new fossil fuel production works against climate targets and that Jackdaw will create relatively few new jobs. Alongside the decision, the government announced a new £2 billion Energy Wealth Fund to invest North Sea revenue into renewable and low carbon projects.

Every Platform Needs Its People

Here’s something you might not know about Jackdaw. Nobody actually lives on it. It’s what the industry calls a not permanently attended platform, linked by pipeline to the nearby Shearwater installation.

That doesn’t mean fewer people, though. Maintenance teams, technicians and specialists will be flying out regularly to keep it running, and Shearwater needs its full crew on board to process the gas.

Every one of those trips starts the same way: a helicopter ride out over the North Sea. And before anyone takes that ride, they need the right training behind them.

Where Every Offshore Career Starts

OPITO training is at the heart of what we do. It’s the standard the whole industry trusts, and helping people achieve it is something we take real pride in.

For most people, the journey starts with BOSIET. Over a few days, our instructors take delegates through everything they need before their first trip offshore: helicopter safety, sea survival, firefighting and first aid. The part everyone remembers is the helicopter escape, where you practise getting out of a simulated ditched aircraft underwater. It sounds daunting, and plenty of delegates arrive a little nervous. By the end, most leave with a real sense of achievement and the confidence that comes from knowing exactly what to do.

Alongside BOSIET, MIST covers the day-to-day side of offshore life, from spotting hazards to understanding how safety works on an installation. Then every four years, FOET brings those emergency skills back up to scratch, so you’re always cleared to fly.

It isn’t just for one kind of worker, either. Electricians, scaffolders, riggers, mechanics, medics and cooks all need the same training before they set foot on a platform. If the North Sea is part of your plans, this is where it begins.

Ready to Head Offshore?

With Jackdaw coming online and more projects lining up behind it, now is a good time to get your OPITO training sorted. Whether it’s your first BOSIET, a FOET refresher or MIST to go alongside it, our team at Glasgow Airport will help you find the right course and get you booked in.

We look forward to helping the crews who’ll keep it running safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Jackdaw gas field?

Jackdaw is a gas field in the UK North Sea, around 150 miles east of Aberdeen. It’s developed by Adura, the joint venture formed by Shell and Equinor, and received government approval in October 2026.

When will Jackdaw start producing gas?

Gas from Jackdaw is expected to start flowing to UK homes and businesses before the end of October 2026.

How much gas will Jackdaw produce?

At its peak, Jackdaw is expected to produce around 6% of UK North Sea gas, enough to heat the equivalent of 1.4 million homes. It has a working life of up to 11 years.

Does anyone live on the Jackdaw platform?

No. Jackdaw is a not permanently attended platform, so there’s no resident crew. Maintenance teams and specialists fly out when needed, and the gas travels by pipeline to the nearby Shearwater installation for processing.

What training do I need to work offshore in the North Sea?

Most people heading offshore for the first time need OPITO BOSIET, which covers helicopter safety and underwater escape, sea survival, firefighting and first aid. Many employers also expect OPITO MIST, which covers everyday safety on an installation.

How long does a BOSIET certificate last?

A BOSIET certificate is valid for four years. To stay cleared to travel offshore, you’ll need to complete OPITO FOET before it expires.

Where can I do OPITO training in Scotland?

Stream Marine Training delivers OPITO-approved BOSIET, FOET and MIST at our training centre at Glasgow Airport. Get in touch with our team to find the next available date.