North Sea gas will help reach net zero quicker, says report

North Sea gas is significantly cleaner and supports the drive to net zero greenhouse gas emissions far more than imported gas supplies, according to analysis published recently by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA).

The research shows that domestically produced gas is on average almost four times cleaner than imported liquid natural gas (LNG), because of the way the gas is transferred and, in some cases, the methods of extraction.

Norway has the lowest carbon intensity of all LNG imports at 33 kgCO2/boe, while Peru has the highest at 90. The average weighs in at 79, but UK gas has a carbon intensity of only 21 kgCO2/boe, or the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions created per barrel of oil equivalent (boe) produced.

Around 63% of the UK gas supply is imported into the country, with almost half of that coming in as LNG, while the UK produced 38% of its gas supply in 2022.

That 38% was responsible for only 24% of total emissions associated with gas supply, whereas LNG from the United States was responsible for 35% of the emissions, despite being only 14% of the supply.

Hedvig Ljungerud, NSTA’s director of strategy, said: “This analysis highlights the benefits of continuing to produce our own gas, as cleanly as possible, for as long as we consume it, to support domestic energy security and the drive to net zero.

“The NSTA will continue to work with industry to drive reductions in emissions while also supporting the energy transition.”