Offshore energy structures in the North Sea: Past, present and future

• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2023.105629
• Publication Date: 2023-04-25T23:13:42Z
• Authors: Maria Clara Iruzu...; Matt ID Carter; Sally Rouse; Debbie JF Russell
• Keywords: MCC; GC; HD; QH301 Biology; DAS; Oil and gas platforms; 7. Clean energy; 333; HD Industries. Land use. Labor; QH301; 13. Climate action; Wind turbines; GC Oceanography; 14. Life underwater; OSPAR 98/3; Wind energy; Decommissioning; SDG 15 - Life on Land

Offshore man-made structures (MMS) such as oil and gas (O&G) platforms, pipelines wind energy developments are present in shelf seas worldwide can potentially influence ecosystem dynamics services. The number, type age of these is changing the sector expands whilst O&G reach end economic viability decommissioned. North Sea an area which supports major offshore production consequently has a particularly high density MMS which, according to OSPAR 98/3 decision, will need be removed after cessation operations. To inform effective policy decisions, comprehensive understanding impact on required. A challenge this lack database with up-to-date accurate metadata (e.g. structure type, installation date) locations. We found that existing databases spatially restricted and/or contain conflicting locational data and, when present, metadata. When used scientific studies support gaps errors limit inference could lead spurious results. Here we develop spatial including turbines Sea. This allowed examination temporal trends how have changed location. generated useful for range stakeholders ranging from ecologists, engineers, policymakers, industry advisors geoscientists. Indeed, fundamental robust research required sustainable review regulation.