Decarbonisation on the UKCS a Comparative Study of Electrification Options West of Shetland

Meeting the Paris Agreement targets and rapidly transitioning towards renewable energy are critical. Despite significant renewable energy growth, projections indicate fossil fuels will meet almost half the UK's energy demand by 2050. The oil and gas industry is facing increasing decarbonization mandates due to environmental concerns and the need for a sustainable energy future. However, the UK is unlikely to completely achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target. Offshore oil and gas industry emissions are primarily due to energy-intensive processes that could be significantly reduced by shifting towards more sustainable practices and electrifying these processes. The West of Shetland region holds strategic significance in energy security, economic contributions, and potential for further exploration. The rapidly evolving offshore wind power sector and technological innovations in this field present a promising path towards a sustainable energy future. However, the electrification of oil and gas assets in the West of Shetland area will encounter challenges relating to grid connectivity, wind intermittency, environmental impact, and potential large-scale wind power generation elsewhere in the UK. Three key network design options are suggested for supplying required offshore electricity: a coordinated approach, an individual approach, and a local supply approach. There are three key groupings in the West of Shetland region: the Clair grouping, Schiehallion-Lancaster-Solan, and Rosebank-Cambo. Each has potential for electrification, but also unique challenges to be addressed. The adoption of renewable energy and energy storage technologies for oil and gas facilities in the West of Shetland area involves a variety of factors. Initial costs can be substantial, especially offshore, but these could be offset in the future due to tightening emissions regulations and carbon pricing. Older assets nearing their end of life may not be worth electrifying. Overcoming these challenges necessitates a collaborative strategy among industry players, the government, and regulators. Norway is leading in electrification, while the UK North Sea is moving much more slowly. A coherent energy policy for the West of Shetland area addressing oil and gas developments alongside renewable energy developments appears essential.