Decommissioning

Decommissioning

This is an overview of the key content to be found in our Decommissioning subtopic. It briefly explains the nature of this content and provides links to it.

For more general information on oil and gas licensing and regulation, see subtopic: Oil and gas licensing and regulation—overview.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) was established on 7 February 2023 and has taken over the energy portfolio of the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), including in respect of oil and gas commissioning, which no longer exists.

Decommissioning—introductory Practice Notes

Practice Note: ‘Conventional’ Oil and Gas—An Introduction provides an introduction to the key elements of the ‘conventional’ oil and gas sector, including licensing and regulation, the so called upstream, midstream and downstream elements of the sector, corporate transactions, health and safety, decommissioning and LNG, and provides links to related, more in-depth content on such topics.

Practice Note: The Energy White Paper—an overview [Archived] considers some of the key measures announced in the Energy White Paper published by the former UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) on 14 December 2020 and

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Latest Energy News

OEUK publishes offshore wind decommissioning guidelines

Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has published its first set of guidelines for decommissioning offshore wind turbines. The guidelines provide an overview of relevant regulations and best practices for technical design and environmental protection measures. Key considerations include cost-effective methods, workforce safety, and environmental impact assessments. They also emphasise the importance of monitoring seabed changes throughout a turbine's lifespan and integrating decommissioning planning into the design of new turbines.

DESNZ publishes response to CHMM launch date consultation

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published the response to its March 2024 consultation on adjusting the introduction date of the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM) scheme. Following stakeholder feedback, DESNZ confirmed that the CHMM will launch on 1 April 2025. The response also outlines two key adjustments to the scheme design: the payment-in-lieu level for missing credits in the scheme's first year has been reduced from £3000 to £500, and the period for counting boiler sales has been aligned with the new launch date.

OEUK publishes 2024 Offshore Decommissioning report

Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has published its 2024 Offshore Decommissioning report. The report forecasts a substantial expenditure of £24.6bn by 2033, encompassing the removal of over 2,000 wells, 914,000 tonnes of topsides, and 508,000 tonnes of substructures. The report also highlights key achievements from 2023, including the removal of over 6,000 tonnes of subsea infrastructure, with a 50% projected increase in well decommissioning activities for 2024.

DESNZ announces new measures for Warm Homes Plan

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced new measures for its Warm Homes Plan, with the aim of upgrading 300,000 homes in 2025. These measures include increased funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) to facilitate heat pump adoption and the amendment of existing permitted development rights to remove the one-meter planning rule for heat pump installations in England, enabling more households to install air source heat pumps without obtaining planning permission from early 2025. DESNZ also plans to consult on raising minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes by 2030 and improving standards for new boilers and heat pumps. In addition, it will introduce a reformed Clean Heat Market Mechanism from 1 April 2025. DESNZ also announced a £1.29bn allocation for the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 and a £500m allocation for the Warm Homes: Local Grant as part of the Autumn Budget. These funds will be distributed over three years, from 2025 to 2028. In addition, it announced changes to the BUS. Due to a surge in applications, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband authorised an increase in the scheme's budget and granted Ofgem permission to over-allocate vouchers.