Orsted has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alpha Petroleum Resources and Energean UK to explore the potential repurposing of the Wenlock gas platform in the Southern North Sea as an artificial nesting structure for the 2.8GW Hornsea 4 wind farm.
The provision of artificial nesting sites is considered a viable compensation measure for the potential impact of offshore wind development on certain seabird species, including the black-legged kittiwake.
Kittiwake have been observed readily utilising man-made structures and Orsted’s recent offshore surveys of platforms in the North Sea have shown large numbers of nests on a number of platforms.
The MoU will allow the parties to collaborate in exploring how to repurpose the Wenlock platform as a dedicated kittiwake nesting site.
The gas platform (pictured) is owned by Alpha and Energean and is situated in the Southern North Sea, 98km north-east of the Bacton Gas Terminal in Norfolk.
According to Orsted, it has an established kittiwake colony with around 69 apparently occupied nests counted in the June 2022 survey.
The platform is nearing the end of its economic producing life and is scheduled for the plugging and abandonment of wells from 2023.
Following decommissioning this nesting site would no longer be available, but the repurposing of the Wenlock platform, with the topside design developed to attract further nesting kittiwake, presents an opportunity to preserve and increase this colony for many future breeding seasons ahead, Orsted said.
The topside design will be adapted to the architecture of the platform in order to maximise the use of existing structural elements and the new nesting space created, while at the same time minimising disturbance to the seabirds which are already nesting at Wenlock, it added.
Orsted is currently progressing through the Planning Inspectorate Development Consent Order process with its Hornsea 4 wind farm, with a consent decision expected in February.
The Danish developer said these discussions with Alpha and Energean will remain subject to ongoing consultation with key stakeholders and regulators.
Orsted Hornsea Four Project Director Jamie Baldwin said: “As a responsible offshore wind developer, we are always keen to explore innovative opportunities to ensure that our projects are developed, constructed and maintained as sensitively and sustainably as possible.
“We look forward to continuing our work with Alpha and Energean to investigate the potential for repurposing existing offshore structures as part of a tool-box of ecological compensation measures.”
Alpha chief operating officer Graham Walters said: “Alpha is very pleased to be working with Orsted to re-purpose our Wenlock platform to support the renewable industry in a first for a UK gas platform and to be playing our part in the UK energy transition”.
Energean UK country Manager Fiona Goodfellow said: “Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) is at the heart of Energean operations and we are delighted to have partnered with like-minded organisations on this project.
“It is particularly pleasing to work towards a positive and lasting legacy from our UKCS operations.
“The Wenlock platform has already established itself as a new seabird nesting site and we are very excited to see plans progressing which may assist this valuable kittiwake population to prosper and grow long into the future.”