Environment Report 2019

ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2019

International Comparison In comparison with international counterparts, the UKCS’ maturity means that it is expected to have a higher carbon intensity. The recent improvements in this area highlight the positive work by companies on the UKCS during late-life asset management. . This is comparable to Norway which released a total of 12.2 million tonnes, down from 12.8 million tonnes in 2016. However, Norwegian production was over twice that of the UK in 2018, meaning it produced at a lower carbon intensity. More assets producing from smaller fields, combined with the fact that the majority of UKCS assets are reaching the mature phase of their life cycle, has led to a higher carbon intensity over the long term compared with the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), which is less mature and home to a smaller number of installations producing from larger fields. In 2018, the UKCS emitted 13.2 million tonnes of CO 2

However, while the UKCS’ carbon intensity may be higher than that of its North Sea neighbour (see Figure 9 below), this does not take into account emissions generated during importation of gas to the UK.

Figure 9: Carbon Intensity International Comparison

30

90%

UK Norway European Average UK Produc�on Efficiency (RHS)

80%

25

70%

)eob noilliM/sennotoliK( ytisnetnI nobraC

20

60%

50%

15

40%

Produc�on Efficiency

10

30%

20%

5

10%

0

0%

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Source: OGUK; IOGP; NOROG

18