Geothermal could power North Sea industry

Legacy oil and gas fields can be repurposed to power offshore oil and gas operations, say academics and specialists

Legacy oil and gas fields in the North Sea can be repurposed to produce geothermal energy, powering offshore oil and gas operations in the short term and potentially exporting power back to shore in the long term, according to non-profit organisation Shift Geothermal. Shift forecasts that geothermal energy, where energy is harnessed from the subsurface, could deliver up to 25pc of the UK’s energy mix by 2050 with government commitment and a strategic approach to sharing research.  The group of academics and energy sector specialists is launching a bid to establish a new national centre for geothermal energy to help realise its potential.  “No-one wants to be worst emitter in the North