Introduction from the Chief Executive
The North Sea can power the UK’s energy transition. It has got it all – oil and gas supplies, abundant offshore wind power, vast carbon storage potential and exciting opportunities for hydrogen. It also supports the expert supply chain, made up of men and women whose transferable skills are in demand across sectors, including renewable energy.
The North Sea gives the UK huge advantages and, at the same time, the transition remains one of the most complex challenges of our age. We are at a pivotal moment, as oil and gas production from our mature basin continues to decline. Making the move from hydrocarbons to other energy sources in a way that works for the offshore supply chain, industry and communities requires a clear and co-ordinated approach. The right infrastructure must be in the right place at the right time. Investors must be given confidence.
The UK now has a blueprint for that transition. Announced in November 2025, the UK government’s North Sea Future Plan lays out explicitly how it intends to protect existing roles and create the next generation of clean jobs, while managing existing oil and gas production for decades to come.
Once established via an energy bill, the plan will also strengthen the NSTA’s regulatory framework, giving us three balanced objectives, reflecting our evolution and our ongoing work with industry, government and other regulators to accelerate the transition, secure energy production and reduce emissions.
The NSTA will steadfastly support the government and North Sea Future Board on the delivery of the plan – for the good of the North Sea and all who rely on it.
