Rosebank Oil Field: Life Onboard the Stena Spey Amid Political Storm Over North Sea Drilling

The Rosebank oil field, located about 80 miles west of Shetland, has become a flashpoint in the debate over the UK's energy future. BBC Scotland editor James Cook visited the Stena Spey, a drilling rig currently stationed at the field, to see conditions firsthand. The rig, owned by Stena Drilling and contracted by Equinor, has been on location since 2022, awaiting a final investment decision. Workers describe a self-contained world with gyms, cinemas, and round-the-clock operations, but also acknowledge the uncertainty hanging over their jobs. Rosebank is estimated to hold around 300 million barrels of recoverable oil, and its development could create hundreds of jobs, but it has drawn fierce criticism from environmental groups. Campaigners argue that new oil and gas extraction is incompatible with the UK's net-zero commitments, while supporters say domestic production is essential for energy security. The political battle intensified after the government approved the project in 2023, only for a court ruling in early 2025 to declare that approval unlawful, leaving the field's future in limbo. For the crew on the Stena Spey, the wait continues. As one worker put it, 'We just get on with the job until someone tells us otherwise.' The coming months will determine whether Rosebank becomes a symbol of transition or a relic of a bygone era.