The Net Zero Technology Centre has announced the launch of its 2022 Open Innovation Programme aimed at developing and deploying technologies that will reduce offshore emissions, accelerate clean energy production, and enable delivery of the UK’s net zero ambitions.

The 2022 programme will feature two funding competitions – the first open now and closing 29 April 2022, and the second scheduled for October.  Businesses from across the globe can apply for a share of £7 million available in the first competition, with a maximum of £1 million to be awarded to each successful project. The projects must support the transition towards net zero with an obligation of trialling and deploying technology within the UK continental shelf. As well as funding, the projects will also gain access to data, facilities, and technical expertise from industry.

Late life and decommissioning is one of the seven technology focus areas identified aimed at developing technologies that will reduce offshore emissions and enable the delivery of the UK’s net zero ambitions. The North Sea Transition Authority estimates the total cost of oil and gas decommissioning to be £51 billion presenting a huge opportunity for industry to deliver technologies to drive an efficient decommissioning process.

As part of the funding competition, the centre is looking for game changing ideas focussed on re-use and repurpose and simulation and decision making.

With over 125 topsides and 115 jacket structures to be removed or reused within the UKCS, over the next decade, we are looking for ideas and technologies that will identify, market, and sell infrastructure for reuse, and repurposing initiatives for existing infrastructure – in particular geothermal technologies.

The centre is also focussed on inspiring innovative concepts to help decision making from previous data to enable increased productivity and reduce carbon output throughout late life and decommissioning. With a cost reduction focus of 35% over the next period – planning, forecasting and decision making has never been so important.

If you have a technology idea to help drive an efficient decommissioning process, submit it by 29th April to have the opportunity to secure funding of up to £1 million and 24 months of support for each project.

For more information visit www.netzerotc.com/fundingcompetition