The Norwegian government announced on Tuesday that, from 2029, it will introduce requirements for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from ships used in oil and gas operations on the Norwegian continental shelf.

The requirement is in accordance with previous resolutions of the Storting, the government states on its own website:

In the activity package adopted by the Storting in 2020, it was assumed that the oil and gas industry would reduce its emissions by up to 50 per cent by 2030.

The government assumes that the emissions cuts will take place gradually.

In the period 2029–2031, greenhouse gas intensity shall be reduced by 10 per cent. The requirement will gradually increase to a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas intensity in the period 2038–2040.

It envisages that this will create new markets and business opportunities:

When more vessels are required to use fuels with low or zero emissions, this will create predictable demand for electric and hybrid power systems on ships and alternative fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia. This is an important contribution to the development of low- and zero-emission solutions in shipping. It will also improve the framework conditions for those investing in production and bunkering solutions for this type of fuel.

Not everyone in the offshore industry is enthusiastic, E24 reports:

The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association believes the industry already has enough to deal with through the rules in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and regulations via the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO).

They do not want new, specifically Norwegian emissions rules for the approximately 180 offshore vessels operating on the continental shelf.

“It could impose unnecessary costs and administrative burdens on the industry, with little additional benefit for the climate,” the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association wrote in a consultation statement this autumn.

The government assumes that the new requirements will reduce Norwegian CO2 emissions by 1.6 million tonnes up to 2040, that is, on average somewhat more than 100,000 tonnes per year until then.

Total global CO2 emissions have surpassed 40 billion tonnes per year, and continue to increase steadily.