From rig to renewables: Leading the offshore industry towards a low-emission future

The offshore industry, as with other industries, needs to adapt to expectations from relevant stakeholders to demonstrate that it is conducting its business in a manner which is as sustainable as possible. 

What is decarbonization in the offshore industry? 

Offshore decarbonization involves reducing the carbon intensity and emissions of the offshore industry, by using cleaner energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) or other emission abatement technologies.  

Documenting the reduction of these emissions is key to demonstrating the implementation of a company’s sustainability philosophy. DNV supports and encourages the offshore industry in its sustainability journey, by providing a range of services and solutions. 

  • The additional class notation Sustainability addresses adherence to sustainability aspects contained in the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). 

  • The notation addresses aspects such as: 
    • seawater pollution prevention 
    • marine environment protection 
    • air pollution prevention 
    • greenhouse gas emission reduction 
    • recycling 
    • human factors
  • It provides a means to document how a company has addressed these issues on a specific offshore installation 

  • Whether part of the Sustainability notation or as a stand-alone notation, DNV’s Abate notation is a structured framework related to reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) from offshore units.   
  • It addresses the management, identification, assessment and implementation of measures intended to reduce levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on offshore installations.  
  • Key technology qualifiers ensure that all feasible measures are taken, and that the best available abatement technologies are assessed and where appropriate are applied to reduce emissions. Specific measures will differ depending on installation type and operations.  

Key cases

  • Leveraging smart sensors, AI, data analytics, and digital twins to optimize operations, improve energy efficiency, and reduce emissions through predictive maintenance and real-time performance monitoring.  
  • Providing guidance and verification on the use of low-carbon sources, such as hydrogen, ammonia and battery systems.   
  • Expert advice and support for implementing tailored decarbonization solutions across all offshore vessel types, including carbon capture technologies and alternative fuels. 

  • Developing standards, guidelines and best practices for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of renewable offshore assets, such as floating offshore wind farms, floating solar (DNV-RP-0584), and offshore CCS (DNV-SE-0696) facilities. For example, DNV has published a standard for floating offshore wind turbines, DNV-ST-0119, which will help the industry accelerate the deployment of this promising technology.  
  • DNV offers independent third-party assurance for floating offshore wind projects, leveraging our extensive technical expertise and industry experience in both offshore classification and renewable certification to support and accelerate the growth of future offshore renewable industries. 

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