Production emissions from oil and gas facilities in the North Sea fell last year.

Figures from the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) show total emissions in 2021 were 14.6% lower than 2020 levels.

But it warned that, without further investment, the industry would miss its target to halve emissions by 2030.

The industry insisted it had made "good progress" and was another step closer to reaching its net-zero goals.

The NSTA report attributed the latest fall in emissions to a combination of industry efforts, Covid disruption and an overall drop in production due to delayed maintenance.

Almost three-quarters of those emissions come from generating power to run the installations, with gas flaring accounting for a further 22%.

The report said it would be a "challenge" to sustain the emissions reductions in future years as operations return to a more regular pattern.

Held to account

But NSTA chief executive Andy Samuel insisted the industry would be held to account to make sure it delivers on its targets.

He told the BBC: "The industry has made impressive progress on reducing emissions during a turbulent period marked by a global pandemic and unprecedented price volatility.

"Energy security is more sharply in focus than ever and the NSTA is working closely with industry and government to bring new oil and gas projects online and bolster UK energy supply. This vital work sits alongside emissions-reduction goals."

Total emissions for the UK oil and gas sector have fallen by 21.5% since the industry's benchmark year of 2018.

Will Webster, from industry body OEUK, added: "Oil and gas will be needed for decades to come, so it's important that we meet as much of our own demand as possible in the most sustainable way we can.

"The NSTA's report shows industry has made good progress on the emissions-reduction targets set out in the North Sea Transition Deal, marking another step closer to reaching our net-zero goals."


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