The leading representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry has underlined its commitment to developing the technical solutions required to help meet the UK and Scotland’s net zero ambitions. It comes as two key reports on plans to reduce emissions are published today.
Industry regulator the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) today published the interim findings of its Energy Integration report detailing how the sector is working to reduce emissions from the operational production of oil and gas through platform electrification. The report also outlines how the sector can support the decarbonisation of other heavy industries through carbon capture, usage and storage, and hydrogen.
The Climate Change Committee today also published its 2019 progress report to the Scottish Parliament which recommends both the UK and Scottish governments work more closely together to make the best use of devolved and reserved policy levers in key areas where responsibilities are split. This includes the future of heating, electric vehicles and low-carbon infrastructure.
Commenting, OGUK Upstream policy director Mike Tholen said:
“Today we have two big reports which both recognise the contribution the oil and gas industry can make to the UK and Scotland’s net zero ambitions.
“Partnership working between industries, governments and regulators will be critical to the scale of our success. As we look to a new year, OGUK will continue to seek support for industry’s Roadmap to 2035: a blueprint for net zero.
“Enabling a safe and competitive industry that realises its full potential in the energy transition can only be good news for the jobs, communities and climate aspirations we support.
“From reducing emissions from the operational production of oil and gas through electrifying offshore platforms, to helping other heavy emitting sectors to decarbonise by developing carbon capture, usage and storage technologies at scale, our industry has the skills, capabilities and infrastructure to play a key role in developing solutions.”