OGA looks to make ‘quick wins’ to reduce North Sea emissions

The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) is assessing how it can change regulations to make lowcarbon solutions like hydrogen, platform electrification and CCUS more viable.

A study by the regulator into the UKCS Energy Transition is under way, with the first phase highlighting five options to reduce emissions in the UK North Sea.

Platform electrification, carbon capture use and storage (CCUS) and hydrogen were classed as “Ukcs-wide” solutions, while Gas-to-wire was more “niche” and “energy hubs” would be placed on natural or artificial islands and onshore sites.

“Phase 2” of the project is currently under way assessing which regulatory barriers need to be overcome as well as developing scenarios to make the technologies more commercial.

The work is expected to be completed in the second quarter of next year with a full report to follow.

Within that, the regulator will conduct an “economic and regulatory assessment to identify barriers, opportunities and quick wins”.

The OGA said the study comes as part of its bid to support the North Sea’s energy transition and helping meet the UK Government’s net-zero emissions targets by 2050.

Chief executive Andy Samuel said: “The energy transition and the UK’S drive to net-zero requires the oil and gas industry to embrace energy efficient operations, whilst supporting the growth of CCS, offshore renewables, and hydrogen. Our report highlights the wide range and combination of solutions that can play a part, in line with the Committee for Climate Change’s recommendations.”