Firms must get ready for sustainability legislation
If anyone was in any doubt that the lack of a coherent and long-term energy strategy is thwarting our net-zero ambitions, the events and news in recent months, have brought this into sharp focus.
Opinion
Keir Starmer: ‘I will unleash a generation of secure jobs for Aberdeen’
The Labour leader is visiting the north-east today with a promise the region will be at the centre of a 'clean energy' future.
Decommissioning: a staggeringly difficult global challenge
Several years ago, it seemed that some leading environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had started to concede UK Big Oil’s claim that a managed transition away from high- to low-carbon energy might be strategically more effective as a means of reaching Net Zero by 2050 than the slam-dunk kill demanded by Just Stop Oil.
Is Scotland failing to see an LNG opportunity?
One of the many sub-plots in the saga of two uncompleted Caledonian MacBrayne ferries at the Ferguson yard in Port Glasgow involves the proposed use of Liquefied Natural Gas to part-fuel them.
Industry collaboration is required to change minds and save lives
As an industry, we’ve made good progress in mental health support, but we need to do more. According to a study by the International SOS Foundation, which looked at the mental health vulnerabilities for remote and rotational workers, 40% of respondents experience suicidal thoughts while on duty.
The UK must focus on scaling the right tech in the right places to decarbonise domestic heating
No more public money should go into hydrogen for domestic heating because electrification is the only viable means of decarbonising heating and hot water in UK homes, writes Jenny Curtis, managing director of Vattenfall Heat UK.
UK decommissioning presents opportunity and challenge in equal measure
"Emerging energies – such as offshore wind – must work with and learn from the oil and gas decommissioning sector," says Ricky Thomson, decommissioning manager for OEUK.
Opinion: Is the oil and gas sector becoming more attractive to private equity investors?
A 2020 study by McKinsey stated, ‘The oil and gas industry accounts for 42% of global emissions…in addition, it produces the fuels that create another 33% of global emissions.’
Opinion: New CMA warning shows sharing is not always caring
Recent warnings from the UK’s competition watchdog shows why the energy industry should be more careful than ever when sharing information and experiences with each other.
Backbone will be key to unlocking UK hydrogen ambitions
This week hundreds of delegates will gather in Aberdeen at the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association annual conference to promote Scotland’s burgeoning hydrogen industry.
West of Orkney windfarm setting the pace for ScotWind
A critical landmark in the ongoing history of Scotland’s burgeoning offshore wind history was reached earlier this month.
Securing critical pipeline infrastructure: a response to recent sabotage
Instead, a combination of barriers can be employed, where each additional mitigation draws the net a little tighter in one area, making it harder for the perpetrator to get through the armour.
How brownfield regeneration can fuel sustainable production
While flaring and electrification are well documented, brownfield optimisation is rarely discussed as a key driver of emissions reduction.
Fergus Ewing: Oil and gas debate needs to be more rational and less emotional
Highland SNP rebel Fergus Ewing sets out why he believes oil and gas remains crucial to Scotland's economy
Cerulean: Regulator to crack electrification whip as NSTD targets loom
In spite of the multiple pressures facing the North Sea, or possibly because of them, the need to decarbonise oil and gas production remains paramount.
How energy companies can leverage the UK immigration system as they transition from oil and gas to renewables
The UK government has made several serious commitments towards the country’s quest for energy independence. In addition to issuing hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licences this past summer and more to come this autumn, the country also continues its renewables strategy, albeit acknowledging that by 2050 a quarter of UK’s energy needs will still come from oil and gas.
Viaro Energy: The moot point of the UK windfall tax
The “reactionary” windfall tax is harming net zero, deals and production, warns Viaro Energy CEO Francesco Mazzagatti.
Decommissioning in the North Sea: Challenge vs Opportunity
The most recent Decommissioning Cost and Performance Report published by the North Sea Transition Authority (“NSTA”) on 9 August 2023 showed that the total cost estimate for decommissioning remaining oil and gas infrastructure on the UK Continental Shelf ("UKCS") is over £40 billion.
The CfD process: ‘Out of adversity comes opportunity’
And so it came to pass …. I was writing here last month when the announcement on the latest Contract for Difference round was imminent and it appeared a distinct possibility that offshore developers would give it the cold shoulder. As indeed they did.
‘Hold on to your hats’ for COP 28
With COP 28 just around the corner and as pressure builds across the globe to slash carbon emissions, increasingly powerful calls and commitments designed to accelerate the pace of green energy change are on the table.
Five ways the offshore wind industry can shake off its growing pains
By combining a flat deck carrier to load multiple jackets with HLP’s new ring crane concept, project developers could cut deployment costs by 60%
Dick Winchester: Climate Enforced Migration will sweep aside D&I
Diversity and Inclusion are topics that frankly, I have a real struggle getting my head around, primarily because I was brought up by a progressive Cornish rebel of a mother in such a way that I had no need to include either word in my vocabulary. I just learnt to accept that regardless of any differences everyone was of equal importance and value to society.
Let’s keep talking – encouraging conversations to help end the stigma of mental health
As an offshore worker, it can seem particularly hard to talk about mental health, especially with the "manly" attitudes and stigma that can come with it.
Opinion: How Scotland’s Climate Week mantra can help to bridge the gap to net zero
A lot has been made in recent days about the UK’s position as a leader on climate change.
Investment ‘stigma’ of oil and gas must be overcome for a quicker energy transition
Oil and gas service sector companies are finding it harder to source private equity investment potentially jeopardising a successful - and speedy - energy transition.