Rosebank: Life on the Oil Field at the Heart of a Political Row
Listen to the story
Rosebank is a large oil field in the sea near Scotland that has not yet been developed.
It has become the centre of a serious political argument in the UK.
Supporters say developing it would create jobs and boost energy security.
Critics argue that new oil projects go against efforts to fight climate change.
BBC Scotland editor James Cook travelled to the field to see conditions there himself.
He went on board a vessel positioned above the untapped field.
His report looked at daily life and work for people on the ship.
The fate of Rosebank has not yet been decided by officials.
This means no final decision has been made on whether it will go ahead.
The field has drawn attention from campaigners, companies, and politicians alike.
Its future could affect UK energy policy for years to come.
The report gives a rare look at life at a site central to this national debate.
It shows how workers live and operate far from land, in a place shaping big decisions.
Vocabulary8 words
- oil field
- a place with oil under the ground or sea
- political
- connected to government and power
- energy security
- having enough reliable energy for a country
- critics
- people who disagree with something
- climate change
- long-term changes in the Earth's weather
- vessel
- a large boat or ship
- fate
- what will happen to something later
- campaigners
- people who work to change something
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Quiz
Answer key
1. It is linked to jobs versus climate concerns 2. By visiting a ship above the field 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Rosebank is a large _____ in the sea near Scotland that has not yet been developed.
It has become the centre of a serious _____ argument in the UK.
Supporters say developing it would create jobs and boost _____.
_____ argue that new oil projects go against efforts to fight climate change.
BBC Scotland editor James Cook travelled to the field to see conditions there himself.
He went on board a _____ positioned above the untapped field.
The _____ of Rosebank has not yet been decided by officials.
The field has drawn attention from _____, companies, and politicians alike.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think oil fields like Rosebank cause political disagreement?
- What are the benefits and risks of developing new oil fields?
- Why might journalists visit remote industrial sites in person?
- How do decisions about energy projects affect ordinary people?
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