A new analysis of environmental monitoring in the North Sea oil and gas industry published today by Offshore Energies UK gives welcome evidence of performance outstripping official targets.
There has been a 34% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2018 and 2024, comfortably exceeding a 25% emissions reduction target outlined in the North Sea Transition Deal (NSTD) for 2027.
There has also been a 57% reduction in methane emissions over the same period against an original target for methane reductions of 50% by 2030.
Official industry targets require a 10% total emissions reduction by 2025, 25% by 2027, and 50% by 2030, relative to the 2018 baseline.
The monitoring data published today in OEUK’s 2025 Environmental Insight report show a 78% reduction in overall volumes of reported unintentional oil and chemical releases in the six-year period 2018 to 2024.
The report also shows a 14% reduction between 2023 and 2024 in the amount of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) brought to the surface during oil and gas extraction.
Additionally, there has been a reduction in dispersed oil within produced water discharges and in the overall volume of chemicals discharged, with the majority being classified as posing little or no risk (PLONOR).
Although the report shows there was a higher number of incidents of unintentional releases of oil and chemicals compared to last year, the total volumes released into the sea were smaller.
Caroline Brown, Environment Manager at OEUK, said:
“This year’s Environmental Insight report highlights the offshore industry’s continuing progress in reducing its environmental footprint – not just in terms of greenhouse gases, but critically in the way we manage and reduce chemical use and discharges. We’ve seen a significant reduction in the total volume of oil and chemical releases, a huge achievement driven by investment in cleaner technologies, improved operational practices, and tight permit controls.
“The data also shows encouraging trends in the types of chemicals being used. The vast majority of those discharged to sea are now classed as PLONOR and we’ve reduced the volume of NORM brought to surface while also making measurable improvements in how we manage produced water, dispersed oil, and drill cuttings.
“These gains are not accidental. They reflect a culture of continuous improvement, growing collaboration across the sector, and a clear recognition that good environmental performance is essential to our social licence to operate.”
Mark Wilson, HSE & Operations Director at OEUK, added:
“This year’s data show an encouraging picture of an industry meeting its environmental targets and producing oil and gas in an environmentally responsible manner.
“There is some way to go on our path to net zero, however these figures highlight that the industry is in action and the high standards that are set for North Sea oil and gas production.
“Other data reported by the North Sea Transition Authority show we produce 0.7% of the world’s oil and gas but 0.5% of the world’s oil and gas production emissions. This should be seen in the context of oil and gas production creating only 3.3% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are proud of our progress towards ever more responsible oil and gas production. We have this resource on our doorstep, and we should be making the most of it instead of increasing imports, such as liquified natural gas (LNG) that has an upstream carbon footprint up to four times bigger.
“Oil and gas will remain essential for decades to come. It is better from all points of view – financial, environmental and social that energy comes from our own homegrown North Sea supplies.”
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