NSTA seeks feedback on latest North Sea emissions initiative
Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK — The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has opened a consultation on its proposed new emissions reduction plan (OGA Plan).
While emissions from production on the UK Continental Shelf have fallen in recent years, they still account for about 3% of all UK greenhouse-gas emissions, according to the NSTA.
Without further initiatives from operators, it warns, the 2030 emissions reduction target agreed between government and the industry in last year’s North Sea Transition Deal may be missed.
The draft plan sets out the NSTA’s proposals for how the industry can meet its obligations and comprises four main areas: investment and efficiency; platform electrification and low carbon power; inventory; and flaring and venting. It lays out what is needed, with support from the NSTA, and the potential consequences that may befall companies failing to comply.
Proposed requirements for platform electrification specify dates for new fields to come online electrification-ready and then be electrified. Power generation accounted for 79% of UK platform emissions in 2022, and the NSTA calculates that electrification could save up to 2 MM metric tons/year of CO2 by 2030.
Recently the NSTA advised operators that production consents could be withheld if their fields are not electrification-ready.
“Progress is tough and will require investment, collaborative effort and detailed planning…," Stuart Payne, the NSTA's chief executive, said. "UK industry is already doing some very impressive things. North Sea gas is almost four times cleaner than importing LNG, emissions have been cut three years in row, and flaring has been near halved in four years, and with this Plan we set out what is necessary to continue the downward trajectory. I ask for real engagement in the consultation as the input will be crucial to develop this approach.”
The NSTA consultation will run until Nov. 30. Submissions should be directed to [email protected].
10.05.2023
