North Sea Transition Authority Explains UK CCS Licences

Andy Brooks, director of new ventures at the North Sea Transition Authority, explains the UK's new licences for CCS The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) is the independent regulator for the oil and gas and the carbon storage industry. It was previously the Oil and Gas Authority only. but has now moved into carbon capture and storage as an extension of its powers. The NSTA is the licensing and permitting authority for offshore carbon storage. As an independent regulator. the NSTA's remit is to look at energy security, emissions reductions and accelerating the transition. Last year, the NSTA ran the first ever carbon storage licensing round, issuing 21 licences for exploration of the seabed. Prior to this, there were six licences in existence. Once accepted, the NSTA will steward those licences, in much the same way as it does with oil and gas development; from exploration all the way through to the development of the transportation network and the storage. What's Included in the CCS Licences? The NSTA effectively put up areas of seabed out for companies to bid on to analyse the ground conditions. Some of the licences issued build out from the original six. Others are new...