Fossil fuels remain the dominant source of energy supply in the UK, accounting for about 76% of UK energy.
Energy Transition
NSMP is committed to playing a key role in the achievement of a net zero future
Our Challenge:
Maintaining a reliable domestic energy supply to grow the economy and support millions of people who depend on natural gas
Transitioning vital workers and supply chains to drive a net-zero economy
Current Situation
Gas and oil continue to meet more than three-quarters of the UK energy needs
Fossil fuels remain the dominant source of energy supply in the UK, accounting for about 76% of UK energy (just over 39+% gas and 36% oil). While overall energy use has decreased and renewable energies have grown, the UK's reliance on oil and gas has remained relatively consistent over the past decade.
Maximising domestic gas production over imports is key to achieving net zero given the much smaller carbon intensity of domestic hydrocarbon production
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) Net Zero by 2050 Target
Reaching Net Zero in the UK
In 2019, the UK Government and the devolved administrations committed to the Net Zero target as recommended by the Climate Change Committee. Reaching net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions requires extensive changes across the economy, but the foundations are in place. Major infrastructure decisions need to be made in the near future and quickly implemented. These changes are unprecedented in their overall scale, but large-scale transitions have been achieved successfully in the UK before, such as the natural gas switchover in the 1970s or the switch to digital broadcasting in the 2000s.
A New Transition Partner: The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA)
The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), previously known as the Oil and Gas Authority, was established “to regulate and influence the oil, gas and carbon storage industries” and to help drive North Sea energy transition by working with government, industry and other regulators to accelerate the move to net zero while securely meeting the UK’s energy needs.
NSMP supports the NSTA net zero strategy to enable the UK’s Government to achieve its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, while supporting energy resilience and the drive to develop home-grown hydrogen and carbon storage.
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50% by 2030
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90% by 2040
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Net Zero by 2050
The Wood Report
UKCS MAXIMISING RECOVERY REVIEW: FINAL REPORT
“In addition to the economic importance, maximizing recovery of the UK’s indigenous supplies of oil and gas will help maintain security of supply as the UK transitions to a low-carbon future, with the DECC’s projections showing that in 2030 oil and gas will still be providing 70 per cent of the UK’s primary energy requirements.”
"The Wood Report", Sir Ian Wood, 24 February 2014
How will NSMP Meet the Challenge?
On energy sector decarbonization:
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Benchmarking and analysis to drive the active reduction of greenhouse gas emissions created by exploration, transportation and processing.
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Identifying and implementing opportunities for electrification that make the greatest impact in reducing emissions.
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Rapidly reducing, and where possible, phasing out gas flaring across all operations.
On maintaining reliable domestic supply as demand ramps down:
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Providing reliable and cost-efficient midstream services to enable upstream shippers to maintain and extend production on existing fields.
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Supporting asset life extension and new business by having capacity and being available over the long term.
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Continuing to improve efficiency and uphold our industry-leading record of >99% availability.
On transforming workers and supply chains for the new Net Zero economy:
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Exploring—in conjunction with our industry partners—ways of collaborating between oil and gas, renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture technology to accelerate the energy transition in the North Sea.
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Providing our people with the resources and new skillsets necessary to effectuate the transition.
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Re-channeling resources derived today into researching solutions for tomorrow.