Launch of the National Platform for Re-use & Decommissioning
The Dutch oil and gas sector is facing a challenge, as over the coming decades many of the oil and gas fields will reach the end of their economic life. This offers opportunities for energy transition, as infrastructure may be re-used for renewable energy sources.Where this is not possible, the industry will dismantle its facilities, striving for zero safety incidents and minimal environmental impact.
In order to properly identify this task and investigate possibilities for re-use, Dutch organisations EBN and NOGEPA, together with the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs, have joined forces in the setting up of a National Platform for Re-use & Decommissioning. The goal of the National Platform is to serve as an umbrella organisation that proactively stimulates, facilitates and seeks dialogue on this agenda.
It is expected that the platform will be established by a group of stakeholders with a key interest in re-use and decommissioning and that over time it will become more inclusive as many more join in. Sustainable dismantling of the infrastructure is key, but before that, potential future re-use should be thoroughly investigated, such as power-to-gas, CO2 storage and geothermal energy. As it stands, already eleven topsides have been re-used for other hydrocarbon field developments.
The platform will be officially launched at the Offshore Energy Exhibition and Conference, on Tuesday, 10 October.