Source: Energy Job Online
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) revealed today it has begun investigating how to power North Sea oil and gas assets with renewable energy sources.
The analysis, aimed to increase economic growth in the North Sea region, will explore how operators can limit emissions and create a collaboration between the Scottish oil and gas and renewable energy industries.
The study includes assessments of oil platform electrification, gas-to-wire technology, carbon capture and storage (CSS), hydrogen power, as well as opportunities for North Sea power hubs.
Andy Samuel, chief executive of the OGA, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to advance the energy transition agenda, looking at practical steps that can be taken and how we as regulators can support that.
“Oil and gas will be required to power our economy and heat our homes for the foreseeable future, but to me it is clear there are great opportunities now to more closely link up all forms of offshore energy production to generate power more cleanly and efficiently.”
Will Apps, head of energy development at The Crown State, says his company is delighted to be partnering with the OGA to “support the UK’s ongoing transition to a low carbon energy mix.”
In February, Norwegian energy firm Equinor announce it has begun constructing the Hywind Tampen project, which will produce enough electricity to power a number of North Sea oil and gas projects.
The eleven floating wind turbines will be built at Gulen Industrial Harbour in Sogn og Fjordane.
The CO2 emission reductions are expected to sit at more than 200,000 tonnes per annum.