The UK’s Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) and oil and gas companies are stepping up efforts to find ways for North Sea industry to reduce its carbon footprint.

OGTC will launch later on Tuesday at Offshore Europe 2019 in Aberdeen a new centre to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies to decarbonise oil and gas production on the UK continental shelf, part of an aim to make the North Sea first net-zero oil and gas basin in the world.

The so-called Net Zero Solution Centre will work with government and industry to address emissions from UK offshore platforms, while also developing technologies that will contribute to the growing demand for hydrogen production and carbon sequestration, OGTC chief executive Colette Cohen said.

The new centre has the backing of BP, Shell, Wood, Chrysaor, Aker Solutions, Ineos, CNOOC International, Total, Siemens and Equinor.

The repurposing of facilities and partnering with companion industries such as renewables will create a new future for the UK continental shelf, while also supporting the creation of net-zero carbon economy, Cohen said.

Earlier this year, the UK and Scottish governments set binding net-zero carbon targets for 2050 and 2045, respectively, following the publication of a report by the Committee on Climate Change.

To transform the UKCS into a net zero oil and gas basin, OGTC plans to champion the creation of an integrated offshore energy system, partnering with companies to accelerate the development of carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen capability and other net zero technologies.

The centre has developed a roadmap and will work with academic institutions and different industry sectors to identify net-zero solutions.

Cohen 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.

Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse, said: “We welcome OGTC’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 Energy Minister 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 UKCS.”

Funding for OGTC was announced by former UK prime minister David Cameron in January 2016 as part of a wider package of support for the North Sea industry.

A total of £180 million was made available by government over 10 years, which is being matched by funding from industry, universities and other research institutions.

Safety And Environment

OGTC sets course for ‘net-zero’ North Sea