Equinor threatens to halt UK investments over oil and gas delay
Norwegian energy giant Equinor has warned that it may halt future investments in the United Kingdom if major North Sea oil and gas projects, specifically Rosebank and Jackdaw, fail to receive final government approval. Anders Opedal, the chief executive of the state-backed company, stated that the ongoing regulatory limbo forces a difficult reassessment of the UK as an investable market. The controversy places the current UK administration in a tight spot between energy security demands and manifesto commitments to curb new fossil fuel licensing. While environmental groups argue that the projects will do little to lower household energy bills and threaten climate targets, industry stakeholders emphasize that domestic production remains crucial as North Sea output steadily declines.