Oil and gas rigs in United Kingdom waters of the North Sea could be forced to convert over to green energy or low-carbon fuels, or either face closure or getting banned from opening new platforms, in an effort to reduce emissions, according to reports. The Telegraph reported there are currently over 280 oil and gas platforms in UK waters, which produce about 3% of the total CO2 emitted by the country per year. The same rigs, though, produce nearly half of the UK’s energy.
The requirement is for all new rigs after 2030 to be electrified completely from the start, while new development ahead of that must be designed to run on electricity. Older platforms dating back to the 1970s and 1980s could cost a heap for electric conversion. Some platforms may have to connect with land power or build wind farms near each platform for an electricity connection.
It makes it clear that where the NSTA considers electrification reasonable, but it has not been done, there should be no expectation that the NSTA will approve field development plans that give access to future hydrocarbon resources in that asset,' it added. Still, the agency plans to avoid unintended consequences while also applying the plan reasonably.