Looking back at the presentation of Nexstep’s report 2024 “Responsible decommissioning”

On 2 July, Nexstep, the National Platform for the re-use and decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure in The Netherlands, presented its annual report. Thijs Starink (General Manager) symbolically handed over the online report to Sybilla Dekker, chair of the North Sea Consultation.

Responsible decommissioning
The title of this seventh report from Nexstep, ‘Responsible decommissioning’, reflects how its members, Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) and the oil & gas companies, view their role in decommissioning. Starink explained, “Although responsibility for the task of decommissioning primarily lies with the oil & gas operators, to ensure a safe, effective and cost-efficient decommissioning process, we rely on the support and dedication of all stakeholders. Nexstep is encouraging these parties to collaborate and to contribute to the qualification of (new) techniques that help to optimise the decommissioning process. Together with the sector, Nexstep promotes responsible decommissioning.”

Challenges on the North Sea
After taking receipt of the Nexstep report, as chair of the North Sea Consultation, Sybilla Dekker reflected on the importance of responsible decommissioning. In Dekker’s own words, “Dismantling the infrastructure in the North Sea is a massive challenge. It is extremely important that the decommissioning process takes place in a safe and responsible manner, both for the stakeholders as well as for nature. It is a good thing that Nexstep is building bridges between the key players such as operators, government and stakeholders. Only through cooperation can we overcome the challenges facing us, such as rising prices, the pressure on space and the impact on nature. Everyone needs to take their own responsibility in this respect.”

Smart, safe and balanced decommissioning
According to Nexstep, responsible decommissioning can be achieved by working smart, sensibly and balanced. These were the central subjects of three panel sessions.

Wim van Urk (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) and Caroline van Dalen (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy) considered the question, ‘Smart decommissioning, what is the role of the two ministries in this dossier?’ Van Urk emphasised that to achieve a level playing field, there must be efficiency and cost reduction, clear frameworks and clear legislation, and that it is the ministries’ task to make sure these things happen. Van Dalen added that within the newly appointed government, there is one minister, the Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth, who will be responsible for oil and gas, wind and CCS, and that this single point of contact should make coordination and harmonisation simpler.

Pieter van den Bergen (SSM) spoke with Gerda Verburg (Element NL) on the subject of ‘Justified decommissioning: balancing risks and cost savings for society’. Van den Bergen emphasised the responsibility of SSM in assessing processes and/or techniques used, based on facts and qualifications. Verburg observed that what the sector needs most is a watchdog that upholds and enforces the same rules. She shares Van den Bergen’s concern that at present this is not sufficiently the case.

Nicolien Vrisou van Eck (EBN) and Jan Vos (NedZero) discussed the subject ‘Balanced decommissioning: the effective use of limited space in the North Sea’. Vrisou van Eck suggested that smart spatial planning and better balancing of the interests within the region are crucial in optimising shared use of the North Sea. Vos underlined the importance of innovation and affordable pricing in achieving a balanced business case. Both Vrisou van Eck and Vos argued that there is a great deal of knowledge and knowhow within the oil gas industry and the wind industry, and that the exchange of both at national and international level will help to optimise the decommissioning processes.

Jan Willem van Hoogstraten, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Nexstep and CEO of EBN, emphasised in his closing words the necessity of cooperation, knowledge sharing and innovation to maintain control over the decommissioning process. He also reflected on the importance of protecting and reinforcing the biodiversity of the North Sea through smart, responsible and efficient decommissioning.