Overview
- New Transitional Energy Certificates will let companies drill on areas adjacent to existing licensed blocks under NSTA oversight, with projects required to avoid new exploration and new fossil‑fuel infrastructure.
- The strategy formalises a ban on fresh exploration licences in line with Labour’s pledge and was released alongside the autumn budget.
- Worker measures include a North Sea Jobs Service, an expanded Energy Skills Passport, and up to £20 million to support retraining.
- Offshore Energies UK warns the fiscal regime will depress investment, citing roughly 1,000 job losses per month and calling the windfall tax damaging.
- Campaigners say tie‑backs would yield relatively small volumes compared with large projects such as Rosebank, with a government decision on that field expected early next year.