Testing UK tech overseas ‘is not good enough’, says NZTC
Aberdeen’s Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) said “it’s not good enough” that UK decommissioning technology is tested overseas when “we are meant to be the leaders in this space”.
North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)
North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) News
Aberdeen tech seeks to pump millions of barrels of North Sea oil from shut-in wells
A patented tool that cleans blocks out of subsea pipes could clear the way for the production of tens of millions of barrels of North Sea oil and gas.
All North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) Posts
Is electrification really the answer for the UK North Sea?
The desirability of electrification in a mature North Sea is questionable, writes Wood Mackenzie.
Substantial investment uncertainties for UK remain despite raft of assurances
While substantial investment uncertainty remains in the UKCS, the year has seen examples of risk-reducing policies from an investor standpoint, writes Professor Alex Kemp
Government delays North Sea legislation due to lack of Commons time
Government legislation designed to maximise North Sea oil and gas production has been delayed to avoid it being rushed through its first stage in 45 minutes.
New North Sea licences will make ‘little difference’ to UK energy security, claims think tank
North Sea oil from new exploration licences sent to domestic refineries would account for less than 1% of the fuels used in the UK in 2030, a think tank has found.
Energy safeguard or ‘political gimmick’? A guide to the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
Debate kicks off this week over the government’s plans to hold annual oil and gas licensing rounds, as the legislative bill receives its second reading in Parliament.
NSTA carbon storage licensing projects start to lock in industrial partners
The UK government outlined its CCUS Vision in December, but where will the carbon set to be stored in offshore sites be sourced from?
Australia’s Finder Energy estimates 206 million boe at North Sea Boaz prospect
Australian oil and gas explorer Finder Energy (ASX:FDR) has outlined details of its Boaz gas prospect in the Central North Sea.
Environmental groups launch legal challenges against Rosebank approval
Uplift and Greenpeace will challenge the decision to approve Rosebank on the basis of downstream emissions, legally binding net zero targets and impacts to marine life.
‘Embarrassing’: NSTA criticised for ‘paltry fine’ against Repsol
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has been criticised for a “paltry fine” against operator Repsol for breaching emissions rules.
North Sea operator Repsol hit with £160,000 fine over emissions breach
Repsol handed the North Sea's largest-ever fine over emissions.
NSTA CCS boss talks about making the Track process ‘sustainable’
"Continuing to fund projects in the way the Tracks 1 and 2 are doing isn’t something that is sustainable," says the NSTA's manager of UK carbon transportation and storage.
NSTA consults on new levy to fund carbon storage management
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has mooted plans for a new industry levy to help fund its oversight of the carbon capture and storage (CCS) sector.
Orcadian agrees seven day extension with potential Pilot operator
Orcadian (AIM: ORCA) has agreed a a seven day extension with a potential operator on its P2244 licence in the Pilot field.
NSTA: £4bn of North Sea developments approved in 2023
The North Sea’s regulator said the approval of seven developments this year, worth a combined £4 billion, represented “strong votes of confidence” in the basin.
Time to get ready for CCS plans
“The world is not just North America and Europe,” he said. “We need the best projects in the best places, not just in the best tax regimes.”
NSTA: Slow progress on emissions reduction is ‘threat’ to MER
The North Sea regulator warned that not moving quickly enough on efforts to reduce North Sea upstream emissions is a “threat” to economic recovery as it consults the sector on new measures to speed progress.
NSTA plan will see North Sea platforms shut early, operators warn
North Sea operators have raised “serious concerns” over a new plan from the NSTA regulator, warning that shutdown of UK platforms could be “dramatically accelerated”.
Wood Mac: New UK licences need major discovery to ‘whet Shell’s appetite’
Shell (LON: SHEL) will need as much as one trillion cubic feet of gas from exploration licences in the West of Shetland to "truly whet its appetite", according to analysis by Wood Mackenzie.
Ensuring UK firms are ‘competitive’ when vying for ‘monster platforms’ decom work
The UK has seen large-scale decommissioning work go overseas, OEUK’s decommissioning manager Ricky Thomson says firms need to remain “competitive” to win contracts for these “monster platforms.”
Exclusive: NSTA pushes North Sea operators on well decom commitments
Amid ongoing uncertainty around tax, inflationary costs and supply chain availability, the North Sea’s regulator has written to operators impressing the need to maintain their commitments with regard to timely well decommissioning.
Serica subsidiary Tailwind Energy receives North Sea block in 33rd licensing round
Tailwind Energy, a subsidiary of London-listed (LON: SQZ) Serica Energy, has been awarded a 100% interest in a North Sea block as part of the 33rd licensing round.
Which companies secured offers in the 33rd Licensing Round?
The UK's offshore regulator has published details of the companies which have secured licence offers as part of its latest North Sea Licensing Round.
Environmental groups lambast ‘despicable decision’ to award new North Sea licences
Environmental campaign groups have criticised the latest awarding of new oil and gas licences by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA).
First 27 North Sea licences awarded in 33rd UK oil and gas round
The award of 27 new oil and gas licences is being hailed as a"welcome boost" for the UK North Sea industry.
NSTA faces legal hearing over disclosure of Brent decom paperwork
The UK’s oil and gas regulator is set to face a legal hearing over the disclosure of key documents on the decommissioning of Shell’s Brent oil field in the North Sea.
