Government denies North Sea boss's claim that Britain will 'face fuel shortage' this winter
Britain could face fuel shortages this winter unless the next Government approves a major North Sea gas project, the chief executive of energy firm Adura has warned.
Neil McCulloch, chief executive of Adura, said the Jackdaw gas field would play a crucial role in maintaining the country's energy security as ministers prepare to decide whether the development can go ahead.
The project's future is expected to rest with Andy Burnham, who is widely anticipated to enter Downing Street later this month.
Mr McCulloch said the Jackdaw field would be essential in ensuring Britain has sufficient gas supplies during the colder months.
His comments come after Mr Burnham indicated he remains "open-minded" about increased North Sea drilling, signalling a potential shift from Labour's previous position on fossil fuel extraction.
Adura has invested £1.5billion in the Jackdaw development and Mr McCulloch said the project is ready to begin drilling operations from October 1.
The company estimates the field could supply around six per cent of Britain's total gas demand.
Speaking to the BBC, Mr McCulloch said the project would strengthen Britain's energy security against potential supply disruptions caused by severe weather or foreign interference.
Mr McCulloch said: "If I were the secretary of state for energy security and net zero, I'd be looking closely at where's my next source of energy security.
"The wells are drilled; they're hooked up. We're just readying the systems.
Adura operates as a joint venture between Shell and Norwegian energy company Equinor.
The Jackdaw project was delayed after environmental campaigners successfully challenged its original approval through the courts.
A judge ruled the Conservative Government's 2022 approval had been granted unlawfully after determining the environmental impact assessment had failed to properly consider the project's emissions.
Adura has since submitted a revised application to the North Sea Transition Authority, arguing the development would account for less than 0.02 per cent of global emissions.
The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning has also opened a public consultation on the revised proposal.
If the North Sea Transition Authority approves the application, the final decision will then rest with the Energy Secretary.
The Jackdaw development is not covered by Ed Miliband's moratorium on new oil and gas drilling because it already holds exploration licences and requires only production consent.
Mr Miliband, the current Energy Secretary, previously described the Rosebank oil project as "climate vandalism" and has been linked with a potential move to the Treasury under a Burnham administration.
Speaking at a conference in April, Mr Miliband said: "Drilling every last drop will not take a penny of bills because fossil fuels are sold on global markets."
A DESNZ spokesperson said: "It is completely false to suggest we will face winter fuel shortages.
"The UK has diverse and resilient energy supply and gas will continue to play a key role as we transition to more secure, clean homegrown energy."
He also argued that issuing new exploration licences "would make no material difference to capacity and therefore security of supply".
Mr Burnham has struck a different tone, saying he is open to expanding North Sea extraction.
The debate over Britain's domestic energy production has intensified after gas prices rose this week following escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The National Energy System Operator has warned Britain's buffer against gas shortages will be narrower this winter than it was last year, although supplies are still expected to remain 8.8 per cent above peak demand.