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Offshore Europe hears plans for net-zero North Sea basin


By Staff Reporter

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The North Sea could become the world's first net-zero oil and gas basin after plans for a Net Zero Technology Centre were announced at September's Offshore Europe conference.

The annual industry showcase in Aberdeen welcomed more than 38,000 visitors, with exploration and production supply chain companies represented at 950 exhibitor stalls.

A key theme emerging from the OE19 conference was how the industry deals with the climate change threat and the move towards a net-zero economy.

Michael Borrell, senior vice president North Sea and Russia at Total and chairman of SPE Offshore Europe, said: “I’m delighted that so many thousands of colleagues from across our industry attended. There’s been a really noticeable positive energy at Offshore Europe this year, in the conference presentations and on the floor of the exhibition.

“We’ve had some great debates about our future, especially about the energy transition and our license to operate. I think the energy and ideas of the conference will carry on into our work in the future.”

At OE19, the Oil & Gas Technology Centre announced it would create a Net Zero Solution Centre to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies to decarbonise offshore operations and develop the UK Continental Shelf as the first net-zero oil and gas basin globally, supporting the industry’s Roadmap 2035.

Announcing the launch of the Net Zero Technology Centre (from left) Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse, Oil & Gas Technology Centre chief executive Colette Cohen and UK energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng.
Announcing the launch of the Net Zero Technology Centre (from left) Scottish energy minister Paul Wheelhouse, Oil & Gas Technology Centre chief executive Colette Cohen and UK energy minister Kwasi Kwarteng.

The Net Zero Solution Centre says it will work with government and industry to address the UK offshore oil and gas industry’s emission footprint, while also developing technologies that will contribute to the growing demand for hydrogen production and carbon sequestration.

Backed by major industry players including BP, Shell and Ineos, it will also champion the creation of an integrated offshore energy system, working with renewables and partnering with companies to accelerate the development of carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen capability and other net-zero technologies.

Launching the Net Zero Solution Centre at OE19, Colette Cohen, chief executive of the Oil & Gas Technology Centre, said: “The UK offshore oil and gas industry is a dynamic system of infrastructure, supply chains, expert workforce, research activity and technology development and deployment. This diverse industrial ecosystem must play a fundamental role in the creation of a net-zero carbon economy.

“With the backing of industry and government, and strong track of delivery, the OGTC is committed to moving the dial on carbon reduction and enabling the UK Continental Shelf to become the first net-zero hydrocarbon basin in the world.

“Our focus will be on developing technologies to reduce operational carbon emissions, working with other parts of the energy sector to create integrated solutions and repurposing infrastructure to accelerate carbon capture usage and storage, hydrogen production and gas-to-wire capacity.”

The centre has developed a roadmap and will work with a range of academia institutions and industry sectors to identify shared challenges and lead cross-sector collaboration on technologies to help accelerate carbon reduction and create export opportunities for the UK supply chain.

Scotland’s Minister for Energy, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “We welcome the Oil & Gas Technology Centre’s plans and look forward to working with them to establish a new Net Zero Solution Centre. The centre supports the sector’s ambition to become the first net-zero hydrocarbon basin in the world, a key element of a sustainable, secure and inclusive energy transition.”

UK Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “The UK’s oil and gas sector has a pivotal role to play in the UK’s journey towards becoming a net-zero economy by 2050. Support from companies within the industry is vital to us making this energy transition to a greener future.

“The UK government warmly welcomes this initiative to find innovative technological solutions to decarbonising the offshore production of gas and oil from the North Sea and wider UK Continental Shelf.”


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