Low-emission offshore oil and gas production: A review of achievements and challenges
Saber Mohammadi, Carl Fredrik Berg, Heiner Schümann
Abstract
This review investigates technological and operational advancements towards lower emissions from offshore oil and gas production, providing actionable solutions to meet decarbonization targets. Key solutions include renewable energy integration, hybrid energy systems, energy storage, and waste heat recovery, collectively enabling energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions. A structured methodology was applied, involving a targeted literature search of peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and case studies, followed by comparative analysis of technology performance metrics, environmental impacts, and economic feasibility. Power-from-shore electrification can achieve up to a 95 % reduction in carbon emissions when using low-emission grids, enhancing energy reliability while eliminating direct operational emissions. Offshore electrification, particularly through offshore wind and solar, has emerged as a transformative trend, exemplified by Hywind Tampen. Solar photovoltaics leads to renewable energy expansion, with a projected dominance over wind energy by 2034. However, challenges remain, including integrating advanced systems on spatially constrained platforms, scaling energy storage, and managing the intermittency of renewable sources. Economic obstacles such as high capital costs, uncertain returns, and logistical challenges in harsh marine environments further hinder large-scale adoption. This work provides a systematic synthesis of low-carbon technologies for offshore oil and gas production, offering a foundation for decision-makers to align operations with global decarbonization goals. It also highlights future research directions for advancing sustainable development of offshore oil and gas production. • Integrated review of offshore low-carbon technology and lifecycle impacts. • Offshore electrification can reduce CO 2 emissions by up to 95 % in key regions. • Hybrid systems with wind, solar, and storage improve offshore energy resilience. • Smart grids and AI enhance offshore system efficiency and emissions tracking. • Economic and regulatory barriers remain key obstacles to widespread adoption.