.png)
Some of the world's largest oil and gas companies, including BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies, have collectively pledged £600,000 to a research initiative at the University of Aberdeen. This ambitious project aims to fast-track the decarbonisation of the oil and gas sector while also paving the way for a broader transition to clean energy solutions.
The funding will fuel the University's newly established Centre for Energy Transition, which is set to play a pivotal role in advancing research and training. As part of this effort, the Centre will also support PhD studentships under the new Centre for Doctoral Training housed within the School of Geosciences. Endorsed by trade body Offshore Energies UK, the initiative has attracted investment from a consortium of industry giants, including BP, Chevron, CNOOC, ExxonMobil, Equinor, Harbour Energy, Shell, Spirit Energy, and TotalEnergies.
At the helm of this initiative is Professor John Underhill, the University's director for energy transition. The program will concentrate on cutting-edge academic research and the development of expertise essential for driving the energy transition forward. Specific areas of focus include evaluating offshore and onshore sites for carbon dioxide storage, advancing hydrogen production techniques, developing compressed air and gas storage systems, and exploring alternative energy sources like offshore wind turbines, both fixed and floating.
Last year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlighted that oil and gas operations contribute approximately 15 percent of global energy-related emissions, equating to a staggering 5.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases. The IEA also projected that reducing the emissions intensity of these operations by half by 2030 would require an upfront investment of $600 billion—a daunting yet critical challenge for the industry.
"The starting point on the journey to net zero is very challenging as oil and gas still provides three-quarters of the UK's energy needs," said Underhill. "In supporting these studentships, our funders have sent a strong message about the confidence the industry has in the Centre's ability to progress the energy transition and support the industry's shift to a cleaner future.
"The University of Aberdeen has a long history of delivering innovative solutions that address current and future energy challenges. Over the past ten years we've had 110 PhD students graduate from our existing CDTs, all of whom have been employed in a relevant discipline, showing the relevance of the programmes, and the appetite that exists for highly skilled and well-trained practitioners in the energy sector. Being situated in Europe's energy capital and a city renowned throughout the world for technological development and inspiring solutions, we are best placed and well-connected to understand the needs of the industry and make a real difference by offering practical solutions that ensure Britain has the secure and reliable low-carbon energy sources it needs."
Russell Borthwick, chief executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, hailed the new center as "a brilliant example of industry and academia collaborating to address one of the big issues facing the UK's energy sector today."
"As we look to transition towards a clean energy future, the narrative around the industry is putting future generations off from pursuing careers where they can be the climate solution, not the problem," he added. "Unlike many academic institutions, it's refreshing that the University of Aberdeen understands and respects the enormous contribution the oil and gas sector has played and will continue to play in keeping our lights on for decades to come and is open to working with operators on fantastic initiatives such as this."
The announcement arrived just days after the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) revealed it would not oppose legal challenges that question the validity of licenses granted for the contentious Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects. Although DESNZ stated that the licenses remain intact, it acknowledged that new environmental guidelines might permit these controversial projects to progress.
The oil and gas industry has consistently asserted that it can pursue new projects while aligning with the UK's net zero goals, leveraging carbon capture, clean technology, and carbon removal strategies. However, environmental advocates have cast doubt on these claims, warning that the approval of new oil and gas developments could inevitably violate legally binding emissions targets in the future.
In a related development, engineering powerhouse AECOM has been appointed as the owner's engineer for the Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub. This ambitious project, which aims to advance the region's hydrogen infrastructure, is being spearheaded by BP Aberdeen Hydrogen Energy, a joint venture between Aberdeen City Council and the energy giant BP.
Comments