Study Uses AIS Data to Map Emissions from Offshore Decommissioning in the North Sea
New research from the National Decommissioning Centre has developed a high-resolution framework for quantifying vessel emissions associated with offshore decommissioning activities in the North Sea using AIS data. The study reveals how emissions are concentrated around offshore infrastructure and influenced by vessel operational behaviour, providing valuable insights for emissions accounting, regulatory reporting and energy transition planning.
Published: 10th June 2026
Joint Industry Funded PhDs in Engineering and Marine Biology – Applications Open
The NDC, in collaboration with industry, is offering four fully funded PhD studentships focused on advancing knowledge and understanding of aspects of subsea infrastructure decommissioning. Applications close on 30 June 2026.
Published: 9th June 2026
Study reveals how offshore structures can help – or hinder – marine ecosystems
A new international review has shed light on how offshore energy structures - from oil and gas platforms to wind turbines - shape marine ecosystems and the benefits they provide to society. The paper, Understanding the Role of Offshore Energy Structures in Ecosystem Service Delivery: Applying Global Findings to the North Sea, draws on evidence from 18 countries over 42 years and provides a roadmap for future policy and management decisions in the UK and beyond.
Published: 25th May 2026
Hands-On Experience in the Marine Simulation Lab
An R&D Engineer who recently attended the Supergen ORE Hub Masterclass at the NDC, exploring how virtual prototyping and simulation tools are helping to reduce risk and accelerate innovation in offshore renewable energy technologies has shared their experience.
Published: 20th May 2026
Study presents data-driven model to assess emissions from North Sea decommissioning
A new study by researchers at the National Decommissioning Centre and the University of Aberdeen presents a bottom-up model to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and energy use from decommissioning North Sea offshore oil and gas structures. Applied to decommissioning projects in the Brent and Tern fields, the model shows strong agreement with existing estimates and provides a transparent, adaptable framework to support better decision-making in the energy transition.
Published: 24th March 2026
NDC hosts Shell Girls in Energy from Meldrum Academy
Students from Meldrum Academy’s Girls in Energy programme visited the National Decommissioning Centre to explore cutting-edge energy innovation and discover future career opportunities in the sector.
Published: 27th February 2026
CoRRODE project launched to investigate offshore pipeline degradation
A new project has been launched under INSITE Phase 3 to better understand how subsea pipelines break down over time when left in place. CoRRODE (Coating and Residue Release from Offshore Degraded Equipment) is led by Professor Alfred Akisanya at the University of Aberdeen in collaboration with the National Decommissioning Centre (NDC).
Published: 27th January 2026
From MSc Graduate to Project Engineer: Read an NDC intern’s experience
Read an interview with Panuwat Booncharoensombut, a recent MSc Offshore Engineering graduate from the University of Aberdeen, who joined the NDC on a Research Internship focused on Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Lightweight Floating Offshore Wind Turbine with a Single Mooring System.
Published: 15th January 2026
Aberdeen City Region Deal publishes Annual Report 24-25
Explore the National Decommissioning Centre’s progress in the newly published Aberdeen City Region Deal Annual Report (April 2024–March 2025) on page 28.
Published: 17th December 2025
CODA OE25 podcast – insights from across the decommissioning sector
NDC Director Professor Richard Neilson spoke to the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA)'s CEO Francis Norman in a special podcast recorded at Offshore Europe in September 2025 featuring leaders across the decommissioning sector.
Published: 1st October 2025