Major North Sea operators and supply chain firms gathered last week to present to Michael Shanks, demonstrating the progress being made across seven task forces charged with improving performance in areas such as technology, decommissioning, asset stewardship and carbon storage.

Made up of representatives from the North Sea Transition Authority, Offshore Energies UK, Shell and overseen by the North Sea Transition Forum, the task forces aim to deliver on the North Sea Transition Deal agreed between Government, NSTA and industry. 

This includes delivering the vitally important energy transition to a low-carbon economy and supporting the role the oil and gas sector has to play to achieve net zero.

Each of the task forces delivered a presentation followed by a Q&A session with Minister Shanks, who said the work was truly “collaborative” and “inspirational”.

He said: 
“The task forces are a great example of what’s possible. What's brilliant is you’re cracking on with the practical implementation of your work and not just coming up with ideas for other people. We all need to roll our sleeves up so we can recognise that this is the moment we said we needed a plan and went out and got on with it. This is a collective mission to work across industry to make sure the next chapter is as successful as the previous one.” 

Stuart Payne CBE, Chief Executive of the NSTA and Co-Chair of the North Sea Transition Forum said: 
“Today was a great demonstration of the breath of knowledge, collaboration and sheer hard work across industry. “ 

He also thanked co-chair of the NSTFourm and Shell VP Simon Roddy for his dedication as he stands down after three years at the helm of the Forum.

The North Sea Transition Deal

The North Sea Transition Deal is an agreement between industry and government to deliver an orderly energy transition. The NSTA is helping deliver on many of the aims of the deal.

The North Sea Transition Deal recognises that the oil and gas industry will have a critical role in maintaining the UK's energy security through the transition to net zero carbon by 2050. Government forecasts show that oil and gas will remain an important part of our energy mix for the foreseeable future, including under net zero.

The North Sea Transition Deal between the UK Government and oil and gas industry will support workers, businesses, and the supply chain as it transitions to a net zero future by harnessing the industry’s existing capabilities, infrastructure, and private investment potential to exploit new and emerging technologies such as hydrogen production, Carbon Capture Usage and Storage and offshore wind – as well as offshore decommissioning.

Through the Deal, the oil and gas sector and government will work together over the long-term to deliver the skills, innovation and new infrastructure required to decarbonise North Sea production. Not only will the Deal support existing companies to decarbonise in preparation for a net zero future, but it will also attract new industrial sectors to base themselves in the UK, develop new export opportunities for British businesses, and secure new high-value jobs.

Through the package of measures, the Deal is expected to support up to 40,000 jobs across the supply chain and is expected to cut pollution by up to 60 million tonnes by 2030 including 15 million tonnes through progressive decarbonisation from oil and gas production on the UK Continental Shelf - the equivalent of annual emissions from 90% of the UK’s homes.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: NSTA