Report | 18 February 2025
Emissions Reduction Technology Roadmap
At a glance
The Emissions Reduction Technology Roadmap highlights over 50 adoptable emissions reduction technologies aimed at advancing decarbonisation efforts across the upstream oil and gas sector
The report offers a view of practical solutions for mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in power generation, flaring and venting, and fugitive emissions. Acting as a key resource for industry, the roadmap provides:
- An outline of 50+ practical and adoptable technologies, including low carbon alternative fuels, efficient flare combustion and advanced digital solutions.
- A structured approach for operators to deploy these solutions, including operational modifications and process improvements
Designed to support operators in the development and implementation of Emissions Reduction Action Plans, the roadmap aligns with and reinforces industry targets agreed with the UK government.
The report was developed in partnership with the North Sea Transition Authority, commissioned by the Technology Leadership Board, with contribution from Offshore Energies UK.
Executive summary
The upstream oil and gas industry is focused on lowering its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) production emissions and has made impressive progress in recent years, delivering a 28% reduction between 2018 and 2023. However, further action is needed to ensure industry meets key targets agreed with the UK government, including a 50% reduction by 2030 and 90% by 2040, on the pathway to net zero by 2050.
There has been a strong focus on driving down production emissions from the upstream sector, with the majority of reductions made through operational improvements, energy efficiency, process optimisation and the decommissioning of older assets. Since the launch of its revised Strategy in 2021, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has worked closely with industry on measures which have prevented 3.7 million tonnes of lifetime CO2e emissions.
This Emissions Reduction Technology Roadmap, developed by the NZTC in partnership with the NSTA for the Technology Leadership Board (TLB) serves as an industry resource to raise awareness of deployable technology which can reduce the emissions from the most common sources in the upstream UK oil and gas sector. It also contains emission reduction technologies which are under development and information on their current Technology Readiness Level (TRL).
Addressing emissions from power generation offers the biggest potential for reducing emissions in the UKCS. The Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and service companies are working closely with industry to develop solutions for existing equipment that reduces demand through improved efficiencies or provides modifications for power generation units. Electrification, including power from shore, and alternative fuels, offer real opportunities but require a number of challenges to be addressed before these are realistic, implementable options.
It is clear that a range of technologies, combined with changes to operating practices, will be required to continue the drive to reduce emissions and meet the goals of the North Sea Transition Deal (NSTD), including Zero Routine Venting and Flaring by 2030.
A key conclusion from this roadmap is that collaboration is essential. The supply chain, operators, regulators, technology developers and all the supporting organisations must work together more effectively to address and overcome the identified challenges and gaps.
This roadmap covers technologies that address emissions reductions from the three main emissions sources:
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Power generation
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Flaring and venting
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Fugitive emissions
The main areas of focus for each emissions source are discussed in this roadmap. Not all of the solutions are necessarily related to technology but a requirement for modifications to equipment and processes or changes in operating procedures. These have been included in this document as they are a key part of the ERAPs and deliver some of the reductions needed.
