The representative body for the UK’s offshore oil and gas industry, OGUK, is expanding and rebranding to include the low-carbon offshore energy technologies that its members are developing.
Now called Offshore Energies UK, the change follows a year-long strategic review and takes effect from 14 February.
The organisation stated that it will continue to champion the oil and gas sector, but will also support those with an interest in carbon capture and storage, hydrogen production and offshore wind.
Deirdre Michie, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK, said the organisation would be a unifying voice for an offshore energy sector that was undergoing rapid and positive change.
Existing members approved the new strategic direction at their AGM in December.
“Our members are investing in cleaner energies, boosting the technologies needed to support jobs, communities and the UK’s energy security – and to drive the transition to low-carbon energy,” said Michie.
“Following an extensive strategic review, we recognised that we too need to evolve to reflect what is happening in our sector.
“This is a natural next step for our organisation, which builds on our heritage of proudly championing the UK’s oil and gas industry.
“Extending our representation to include renewable and carbon cutting industries will better reflect the agile nature of the companies involved in energy production.”
The announcement of OGUK’s expansion follows the recent ScotWind leasing round, which saw 13 member companies win roles in the 17 ScotWind projects. They will pay more than £570m in leasing fees to build offshore wind farms and develop more than 20GW in potential capacity.
More of member companies will be involved in the supply chains for these projects, including Worley, DNV and Xodus.
Offshore Energies UK added that it will continue to work with regulators, policy-makers and stakeholders to champion the offshore energy industries and help achieve a managed transition towards the UK’s climate goals.
Some key elements of this work are already under way for carbon capture and hydrogen production, through the North Sea Transition Deal that OGUK signed with the UK Government last March.
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