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Carbon capture projects and other developments in the North Sea are increasingly competing for space as it becomes crowded with various infrastructure, a conference has heard.<\/p>\n
An energy expert told the OEUK Summit on carbon capture and hydrogen that locating projects required increasing attention as the sea was filled with pipelines, oil & gas wells, wind turbines, fishing and other shipping fleets, including recreational vessels.<\/p>\n
Prof John Underhill, director for energy transition at Aberdeen University, said there was a \u201cneed to have a holistic view\u201d of what is being place in the sea, not least to balance the needs of the natural environment with the energy demands being placed on it.<\/p>\n
He noted that some projects \u201coverlapped\u201d, causing them to be delayed and redrawn. In one such example the Hornsea-4 wind lease area was pared back to avoid overlapping with the Endurance carbon capture and storage (CCS) site.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is an impact on biodiversity, challenges for navigation, commissioning and safety. Let\u2019s get this right for the North Sea and for UK plc.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf left unresolved the issues we have identified will cause delay and conflicts that threaten energy transition to net zero targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adrian Topham of the Crown Estate which handles developments around the coastline of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, agreed that \u201cthe overlap between offshore wind, carbon capture and oil & gas is increasing.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cMost co-location challenges are management if identified early.\u201d This required \u201cclearer governance and earlier engagement\u201d.<\/p>\n
Gwen Jackson-Johns, a senior consultant at assurance and risk management company DNV, said cross-border planning on developments and regulation was essential for carbon capture and hydrogen projects to fulfil their potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout clear policy, investors will lack confidence to commit,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Scotland\u2019s new energy minister Stephen Gethins, said the Acorn CCS project was a significant part of the new energy strategy and he welcomed funding which had been pledged by the Chancellor last year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe time has come for us to deliver and move from design to approving projects,\u201d he said, adding that it was not just about de-carbonisation, but industrial growth.<\/p>\n Success \u201cwill depend on strong collaboration between both of our governments,\u201d he said. Speaking afterwards to Daily Business<\/em> he said he was unable to elaborate on what stage Acorn had reached \u201cas I have only just taken on this job\u201d.<\/p>\n On the wider energy market, including oil and gas, he said he would be consulting with those in the industry \u201cto get the balance right between climate change and energy security\u201d.<\/p>\n \t <\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Stephen-Gethins-for-website.png\")