Market Chatter: UK Government Said to Greenlight Shell, Equinor's North Sea Gas Project

10:27 AM EDT, 09/04/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The UK's Department for Energy Security & Net Zero is set to approve the drilling application for Shell (SHEL.L, SHELL.AS) and Equinor's (EQNR.OL) Jackdaw gas field development in the Central North Sea, The Times reported Friday. Government sources told the British newspaper that Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to announce the decision during a visit to Aberdeen, Scotland, on Sept. 15. The oil and gas companies reapplied for the permit after a climate-related court ruling in 2025 resulted in stricter regulations, according to the report. The UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero did not immediately respond to a request for comment from MT Newswires. (Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)