Informing decommissioning strategies in the UK

Description of impact

Interdisciplinary research led by the University of Aberdeen has supported the oil and gas sector in addressing its technological, environmental, legislative and financial challenges around decommissioning. In 2018, this research led to the University securing investment of GBP12,700,000 from the Oil and Gas Technology Centre (now OGTC) to establish the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC). The NDC has been identified by the UK government as core to the trialling, adoption and deployment of new technology and data solutions for decommissioning projects. It is also influencing taxation policies and attitudes towards long-term liability, improving standards and assessing environmental impacts. All of which will contribute to the overall aim of reducing the estimated UK decommissioning cost of GBP50,000,000,000

Outcomes to Date / Future Developments

The Decommissioning sector is in a state of flux, with challenges such as cost and lack of capacity and the drive towards net-zero. Through the NDC and significant investment from industry and the Scottish and UK governments, Aberdeen research is enhancing capability in the sector, through establishment of the centre itself, as well as setting the decommissioning agenda and delivering industry-led programmes to address key gaps in the sector.

Impact status	Impact Completed (Open)
Impact date	2006 → 2026