The Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC) has announced it will create, in partnership with industry, a new Net Zero Solution Centre to accelerate the development and deployment of technologies to decarbonize offshore operations and develop the UK continental shelf (UKCS) as the first net zero oil and gas basin globally, supporting the industry’s Roadmap 2035. The announcement came at the 2019 SPE Offshore Europe Conference and Exhibition in Aberdeen.
The new center has the backing of major companies including BP, Shell, Wood, Chrysaor, Aker Solutions, INEOS, CNOOC International, Total, Siemens, and Equinor, who recognize the critical contribution the oil and gas industry can make to the net zero economy while continuing to meet demand from UK homes and businesses.
“We’re delighted to be working with a strong group of companies and look forward to adding new strategic partners to the Net Zero Solution Centre over the coming months,” said Colette Cohen, chief executive officer for OGTC.
Earlier this year, the UK and Scottish governments set binding net zero carbon targets for 2050 and 2045, respectively. This followed the publication of a comprehensive report by the Committee on Climate Change, which identified growing demand for oil and gas and the need for immediate action to address growing emissions while balancing the needs of the UK economy.
The Net Zero Solution Centre will work with government and industry to address the UK offshore oil and gas industry’s emission footprint, while also developing technologies that will contribute to the growing demand for hydrogen production and carbon sequestration.
“Our focus will be on developing technologies to reduce operational carbon emissions, working with other parts of the energy sector to create integrated solutions, and repurposing infrastructure to accelerate carbon capture usage and storage, hydrogen production, and gas-to-wire capacity,” Cohen said.
To transform the UKCS into a net zero oil and gas basin, the Centre will champion the creation of an integrated offshore energy system, partnering with companies to accelerate the development of carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen capability and other net zero technologies.
The center has developed a roadmap and will work with a range of academia institutions and industry sectors to identify shared challenges and lead cross-sector collaboration on technologies to help accelerate carbon reduction and create export opportunities for the UK supply chain.