A new interactive mapping application has been launched that reveals the location of every energy-related site in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) that could help decarbonise offshore energy.
The map shows the proximity of existing oil and gas infrastructure to offshore wind farms, electrical cables and carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites, which will assist in gauging the potential for reuse when decommissioning assessments are being made.
The Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has worked with the Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland to create the app, which lists over 60 in-construction or active wind, wave and tidal sites on the UKCS as well as recently awarded CCS licences and 489 petroleum licences.
The mapping application is automatically updated as each of the organisations logs new information and is the first time that the locations of all oil and gas and renewables sites have been presented together.
Crown Estate offshore assets head Adrian Fox said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the OGA on this digital project, making it easier for customers to view vital data about existing offshore infrastructure, which will support the co-ordinated growth of the renewable energy sector.”
The tool can also provide valuable information in prioritising areas for seismic shooting before an offshore wind project can be built.
Potential locations for platform electrification, gas-to-wire schemes and green hydrogen production can also be more readily found by using the special software app.
The map data itself stores details about the infrastructure which, combined with spatial locations, can support a wide variety of activities such as site survey cooperation, area planning, conflict resolution and disaster response, OGA said.
OGA corporate director Nic Granger said: “This app will be a valuable tool for the energy industry both today and in the coming years.
“It is a significant addition to the digital services we already offer through our Data Centre.”