Orsted to reuse gas platform for 2.8 GW offshore wind project

Orsted, Alpha Petroleum Resources, and Energean UK have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the potential repurposing of the Wenlock gas platform in the Southern North Sea as an artificial nesting structure for the 2.8 GW Hornsea 4 offshore wind project in the UK.

The provision of artificial nesting sites is regarded as a plausible compensating solution for the potential impact of offshore wind development on certain seabird species, such as the black-legged kittiwake, that require nesting sites.

The Wenlock platform is nearing the end of its economic producing life, and well plugging and abandonment are anticipated to begin in 2023.