North Sea net zero technology projects database launched

The Aberdeen-based Net Zero Technology Centre and Dutch technology research organisation TNO have launched a flagship database to share a range of potential opportunities for collaboration between North Sea oil and gas operations and the renewables sector to accelerate the energy transition.

Together they have launched the One North Sea report which highlights how the North Sea and its existing oil and gas infrastructure can be re-used and repurposed as ‘an ideal basis for developing a net zero emission basin’.

Recommended opportunities include:

• Electrification of ongoing oil and gas production to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x).
• CO₂ transport through existing repurposed gas pipelines and/or storage of CO₂ in depleted gas reservoirs.
• Production of hydrogen on/or around existing gas assets and transport of hydrogen through repurposed gas pipelines (including blending of hydrogen in the existing natural gas stream).

The report highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration, alignment and joint planning in the North Sea region as ‘fundamental for a successful energy transition’. The publicly available database maps out nearly 90 integration projects already underway in the UK, Netherlands and Norway that demonstrate a component of re-use of existing infrastructure.

Launching the report, Luca Corradi, Innovation Network Director at the Net Zero Technology Centre, emphasised the importance of international collaboration: ‘Creating an integrated offshore energy system is essential to deliver net zero targets. To achieve this goal, we need to have closer international collaboration. This report, and its resulting database, provides an early blueprint of exactly how we can drive working relationships across the energy sector.’

He continued: ‘The North Sea energy system does not stop at borders. International collaboration of oil, gas and renewables can bring forth synergies and opportunities to share experiences and knowledge that will accelerate the energy transition to net zero. With an increasingly complex energy landscape and vast potential for the deployment of low-carbon energy, the North Sea can play a fundamental role in accelerating Europe’s energy transition, developing skills for the future and creating new jobs.’

‘We are just at the start of our transition path from oil and gas to renewable energy production at the North Sea,’ commented René Peters, Business Director Gas Technology at TNO. ‘The North Sea will remain a major source of low carbon energy for north-west Europe and of key importance to enable a net zero energy system. CO₂ storage, power-to-gas and platform electrification will be key enablers to develop zero emission energy production from the North Sea and facilitate the development of blue and green hydrogen.’

‘Closer collaboration between North Sea countries is required to grasp the opportunities of system integration. In addition, the database of One North Sea provides a great overview of initiatives to maximise the benefits from collaboration and integration in the North Sea.’

The One North Sea project aims to kick-start the development of a Europe-wide database, providing a hub to collaborate and skill-share to help reach net zero energy faster.