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New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Decommissioning to meet net zero target
11/5/2022
8 min read
Feature
Decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) is gaining momentum following the challenges of the global pandemic. Looking to the future, safe, innovative and environmentally friendly decommissioning has a key role to play in the energy transition. Brian Davis reports.
The UK decommissioning industry is recognised for innovation and safe practice. It keeps a close eye on environmental performance, cost reduction and, increasingly, emissions reduction on the road to net zero.
According to the 2021 cost estimate report from the Oil & Gas Authority (OGA), now renamed the North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA), the total cost of the industry’s decommissioning bill fell by 23% in 2021. Decommissioning cost £46bn in 2021, but the OGUK’s (now called OEUK) Decommissioning Insight 2021 report recognises that there is more to do to reach the 35% reduction target by 2022.
New contracting practices and multi-operator campaigns are enabling work scopes to be aggregated, along with the creation of a world-class supply chain. The NTSA predicts that £16.6bn will be spent on decommissioning in the next decade. New technology is playing a key role with the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) seen as a key focus of innovation.