Feasibility study on repurpose of Oil and Gas infrastructure for offshore Hydrogen generation

Tender description

Crown Estate Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council (SOWEC), is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced consultancy to produce a study which identifies key risks and opportunities in the repurposing of existing Oil and Gas infrastructure for Hydrogen generation and transmission. Risks and opportunities will be determined through review of processes and engagement with stakeholders. It is proposed that the study covers the following areas: - Overview of development and consenting processes for a commercial scale offshore Green and Blue Hydrogen production in the UK, utilising existing research and information where possible - Overview of different Electrolyser technologies, with identification of those most suited for offshore hydrogen production - Overview of fundamental approach to making best use of existing infrastructure including transmission lines, and platforms for generation and transmission. - Overview and cost estimation for key enabling Hydrogen Supply Chain capability and infrastructure including existing offshore Oil and Gas infrastructure, electrolyser supply, port and quayside infrastructure, reinforced quayside areas (with services), operation and maintenance marine and quayside operations - Cost comparison, and benefit analysis of onshore vs offshore Hydrogen production - Identifying where generic “risks” in this process exist for a project developer, identified through review of process and engagement with relevant stakeholders. Risks relates to areas of uncertainty in terms of process, programme, cost, knowledge, stakeholders, consultation etc. Risks to be scored (high, med, low) - Mitigations to the risks identified above to be detailed, their impact scored, and potential actors identified - Identifying where generic opportunities in this process exist for a project developer. Opportunities relate to the ability for some realistic action to positively impact process, programme, cost, knowledge, stakeholders and consultations by making realistic changes to approach, advance engagement with stakeholders and obtaining required knowledge. Opportunities to be scored (high, med, low), and potential actors identified - Capacity of the above to deliver strong pipeline of Hydrogen projects from late 2020s to 2050 - Consideration of desired UK content targets (including where relevant Scottish Government ambition for local content in ScotWind projects) - Consideration of Industry demand in likely Hydrogen clusters - Prioritised recommendations for further work, consistent with SOWEC Energy Transition vision