Miliband v Reeves? Labour is still in a bit of a muddle over North Sea oil and gas policy

Labour's manifesto commitment on North Sea oil and gas production was a fudge.

- Nils Pratley

On one hand, it said that no new licences “to explore new fields” would be granted. On the other, it said the existing fields would be managed “for the entirety of their lifespan” in a way “that does not jeopardise jobs”.

The formulation raised many questions. Where, exactly, would the line be drawn between a new field and an existing field? What would be the approach to protecting workers when, as now, North Sea jobs are estimated to be going at a rate of 1,000 a month, according to analysis by Robert Gordon University?

The thinking is only slightly easier to understand now. The clear part is that Ed Miliband's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero will create “transitional energy certificates” for “limited” oil and gas drilling in areas that are part of an existing field or adjacent to a licensed field. The idea is to keep those sites economically viable for longer by using existing rigs and pipelines.