Growing scale of offshore windfarms attracts IOCs
Projects in deeper waters and at higher specifications are more closely aligned with the offshore oil and gas industry’s strengths and provide portfolio decarbonisation benefits
Global offshore wind projects are moving farther offshore into deeper waters, driving the need for higher-spec equipment and more capable contractors. This could present an opportunity for oil and gas developers to make up for lost projects as countries transition away from fossil fuels. The majority of today’s installed offshore wind capacity is located in waters less than 30m deep, but developments are gradually entering deeper areas where winds are stronger and offer more potential energy output. The average depth of commissioned projects worldwide surpassed 30m for the first time in 2019 and is set to exceed 40m by 2023 and 50m by 2025, according to industry analysts at IHS Markit. But m
Also in this section
15 October 2025
Company warns against potential withdrawal of federal funding for emerging technology as it eyes key role for CO₂ in boosting both conventional and shale oil recovery in US
9 October 2025
A balanced approach—combining hydrocarbons, renewables and emerging clean technologies—is essential for both energy security and sustainability
7 October 2025
As the EU remains deadlocked over its 2040 emissions goal, the IEA has tempered its climate rhetoric, forecasting that oil and gas will continue growing over the coming decades
30 September 2025
Policymakers must match their rhetoric with bolder action if they really want CCUS to scale up to meaningful levels
