NSTA plan will see North Sea platforms shut early, operators warn
North Sea operators have raised “serious concerns” over a new plan from the NSTA regulator, warning that shutdown of UK platforms could be “dramatically accelerated”.
North Sea operators have raised “serious concerns” over a new plan from the NSTA regulator, warning that shutdown of UK platforms could be “dramatically accelerated”.
New proposals by the UK North Sea regulator on emissions and electrification are likely to impact future exploration and decommissioning plans across the basin, according to analysts.
In spite of the multiple pressures facing the North Sea, or possibly because of them, the need to decarbonise oil and gas production remains paramount.
Decisions need to be made on major capital projects like electrification to meet 2030 targets.
The UK’s offshore regulator is consulting on new plans to drive upstream electrification, warning producers that failure to invest could affect its granting of future consents.
Meanwhile 2030 "is the earliest time" electrification could be achieved - years after first oil.
Equinor has taken a final investment decision with partner Ithaca Energy.
Proximity to shore playing in favour of project to cut 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Expectations for North Sea platform electrification are high - but with the clock ticking, questions persist over the cost and feasibility of plugging in aging assets.
The West of Shetland Electrification Project programme manager, Daniel Sprich, discussed plans to source power for three major developments from onshore at an NSTA seminar.
Details on new infrastructure and Aberdeenshire landfall locations for emissions-busting project at Harbour Energy, BP, TotalEnergies and Shell platforms.
Electrification of oil and gas platforms not only supports lower carbon emissions offshore, but it also has huge potential to deliver energy security through power back to the UK grid, writes Flotation Energy's Barry MacLeod.
The Green Party MP Caroline Lucas has claimed the electrification of the proposed Rosebank oil field from the Viking windfarm would harm energy security.
Westwood Global Energy Group recently compared the net zero journeys of Norway and the UK, indicating that INTOG might be too slow to electrify the North Sea.
Ithaca Energy is using electrification to cut emissions at Captain while also using plastic polymers to boost oil recovery.
Despite the ups and downs of the energy transition, it’s likely North Sea oil and gas production will be with us even in a net-zero 2050.
Stuart Payne, CEO of the NSTA, talks North Sea investment, whether electrification will hit the emissions mark, and inspiration from Teddy Roosevelt.
Chinese oil group Cnooc has successfully built its first floating wind turbine, which will be used to power oil and gas operations.
Concerns around the windfall tax may see some companies look beyond the UK for M&A deals – but not Norway’s Equinor (OSLO: EQNR).
The Snohvit Future project consists of two developments, and will cut emissions and extend the life of the namesake gas field.
Concerns have been raised about the unintended consequences of the UK Government’s subsidy for electrifying oil and gas platforms.
Investment decisions could be on the way for Perth, Bentley and Bressay in the North Sea, alongside West of Shetland giants.
Ping Petroleum is pressing ahead with plans to develop the Avalon field in the UK North Sea, hailed by bosses as a “pioneering scheme” to slash production emissions from oil and gas.
Equinor has been pushed for answers on the emissions profile of its £8bn Rosebank project planned for the West of Shetland.
BP (LON: BP), Ithaca Energy (LON: ITH) and Equinor (OSLO: EQNR) will see the valuations of their West of Shetland oilfields increase by half a billion dollars after electrification, according to analysis.