SNS ‘well placed’ to help energy transition

As demonstrated by the UK Oil and Gas Authority's Corporate Plan, regulators recognise the potential role that gas to wire can play in meeting the increasing demand for electricity and helping to transition to a cleaner energy future.

Launching Oil and Gas UK’s new “Our Vision, Our Future” campaign at the East of England Energy Group’s (EEEGR) SNS2019 conference last week, Chief Executive Deirdre Michie told the audience that the southern North Sea is well placed to help the UK face the dual challenge of meeting increases in energy demand in the years ahead with a lower carbon footprint.

The campaign aims to promote Vision 2035, industry’s ambition to meet as much of the UK’s oil and gas needs from domestic resources, while also expanding opportunities for the supply chain at home and overseas.

Michie highlighted the progress already being made in the SNS, commenting “the southern North Sea is so well placed to support this as here the energy transition is already happening with its gas production – gas to wire project – decommissioning and carbon capture and storage opportunities along with diverse energy sectors like wind, where the SNS with its hundreds of wind turbines is leading the way along with wave, tidal and nuclear.”

Gas to wire is an ideal solution for offshore gas fields in the southern North Sea, located close to shore or nearby infrastructure created for the offshore windfarms, where valuable resources could remain undeveloped if platforms are decommissioned.

Maximising the recovery of domestic gas resources to deliver secure, reliable energy, gas to wire can help to meet the objectives of the Oil and Gas Authority and Vision 2035.