Geothermal potential

摘要

George Lockett looks at the prospect of utilising North Sea platforms to extract geothermal energy once the oil and gas fields on which the platforms are placed are no longer economic to produce from. Traditionally, once a field reaches the end of its productive life, its production platform is decommissioned. The structure may be removed and taken ashore for recycling/reuse, or part of the platform may remain on the seabed, perhaps creating an artificial reef. However, another alternative is becoming a more viable option - utilising the platform to extract geothermal energy.