Written question asked by Douglas Lumsden (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 September 2026. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Thursday, 17 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Offshore Industry: North Sea

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate her Department has made of the cost of plugging and abandoning wells, removing installed infrastructure and restoring the seabed associated with the Rosebank field development in the event that the development does not receive the consents required to commence production.

Answer: The Rosebank decision is currently going through the regulatory process. The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero will make a decision in due course on whether or not to agree to the grant of consent. Final consenting decisions are the responsibility of the North Sea Transition Authority. Given the quasi-judicial nature of the regulatory process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on specific aspects relating to the project.

Secondary information