OGUK rebrands to Offshore Energies UK

Offshore Energies UK

OIL & Gas UK (OGUK) is changing its name to Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) and expanding to include low carbon offshore energy technologies that its members are developing.

However, environmentalists are not convinced the new direction will see the sector make real, positive change.

While the representative body will continue to champion the oil and gas sector, it will also support those with an interest in carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen production, offshore wind, and other low carbon technologies. It will work with regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders to champion offshore energy industries and help achieve a managed transition towards the UK’s climate goals.

Diedre Michie, CEO of OGUK, said the organisation would be a unifying voice for the offshore sector, which is undergoing “rapid and positive” change.

Existing members are already involved in low carbon projects across the country including the Acorn project, which is establishing CCS and hydrogen infrastructure essential to help meet Scotland and UK Government net zero goals; Zero Carbon Humber projects, aimed at transforming the Humber region into a net zero carbon cluster; and Net Zero Teesside, a cluster of industrial, power, and hydrogen businesses aiming to decarbonise by deploying carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS).

Michie said: “Our members are investing in cleaner energies, boosting the technologies needed to support jobs, communities and the UK’s energy security – and to drive the transition to low-carbon energy[…]This is a natural next step for our organisation, which builds on our heritage of proudly championing the UK’s oil and gas industry.

“Extending our representation to include renewable and carbon cutting industries will better reflect the agile nature of the companies involved in energy production. We share the same interests, determination and ambition to deliver an integrated net zero energy system that is cleaner and greener but also secure and sustainable.”​

Greg Hands, Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change, said the: “new name reaffirms how important the wide range of offshore energy technologies are to reaching net zero and reflects the important role OEUK will play in the North Sea Transition Deal, which is supporting the sector’s highly-skilled workers and supply chain as we shift to a lower carbon future.”

The UK Government and OGUK signed the North Sea Transition Deal in March 2021.

Ryan Morrison, Just Transition Campaigner for Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “With this change, oil and gas companies recognise that their decades of delay and denial on climate change have destroyed their reputation in the eyes of people across the UK.

“They might change their name, but it’s highly unlikely they will stop their lobbying for more of the oil and gas that are destroying our collective future, and undermining efforts to build a just transition to renewables.”

The new direction follows a year-long strategic review and takes effect from 14 February. It was approved by members at an AGM in December 2021.