BP, Equinor, and Ithaca Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore electrification options for their offshore production facilities in the West of Shetland area.
The agreement includes three oil & gas fields off the UK, namely the BP-operated Clair, the Equinor-operated Rosebank, and the Ithaca-operated Cambo.
Electrification solutions could include power from the shore, potentially from onshore wind or from offshore wind. Full electrification of the abovementioned fields would require around 200 MW of power, Equinor said.
The deal follows formation of the West of Shetland Electrification (WoSE) group, acting on behalf of the joint venture partners.
The WoSE group’s objective to evaluate options for a hub electrification concept is aligned with the North Sea Transition Authority’s and the UK Government’s aim of supporting domestic oil and gas production with the lowest carbon footprint possible, according to Equinor.
It also supports the North Sea sector’s ambitions to become a net zero basin and the North Sea Transition Deal agreed between the UK Government and the offshore oil & gas industry in March 2021, Equinor said.
“This signing is an important step for industry towards reducing their emissions, while protecting jobs and delivering on the commitments in the landmark North Sea Transition Deal”, said Graham Stuart MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change.
Last year, Cerulean Winds unveiled its plans to decarbonise offshore oil and gas assets in the UK through an integrated 200-turbine floating wind and green hydrogen development.
The project involves installing 200 of the largest floating wind turbines at sites West of Shetland and in the Central North Sea.