Norway to introduce emissions reduction requirements for offshore oil and gas vessels from 2029

The Norwegian Government has announced new regulations requiring companies operating on the Norwegian Continental Shelf to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vessels used in offshore oil and gas activities from 2029 onwards.

The measures, announced on 12 May, form part of Norway’s wider strategy to accelerate decarbonisation across the offshore sector and follow a request from the Storting, the Norwegian Parliament, for requirements covering low- and zero-emission offshore vessels.

Under the new rules, operators will be required to reduce the GHG intensity of all vessels used in offshore oil and gas operations by 10% during the 2029–2031 compliance period, rising to 40% during 2038–2040.
The regulations will apply across an operator’s vessel fleet over rolling three-year compliance periods, allowing companies flexibility in how targets are achieved. Operators will also be able to cooperate with one another and bank overcompliance credits for use in future periods.

The Norwegian Government said the requirements can be met using a range of low- and zero-emission technologies, although biofuels will not qualify. To encourage technology development and early adoption, several renewable fuel types – as well as electricity – will be eligible for double-counting until 2033.

Following feedback received during the government consultation process, several amendments have been incorporated into the final regulations. These include exemptions for vessels operating on short-term contracts for fewer than 30 days during a three-year period on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The updated rules also allow for future inclusion of onboard carbon capture technologies once international frameworks are established, and confirm that operators can carry forward surplus emissions reductions into subsequent compliance periods.

The announcement comes amid a wider evolution of international maritime emissions regulation. While progress on global requirements at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has been delayed, offshore vessels are also expected to come within scope of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) from 2027.

At the same time, Norway is reviewing its wider maritime regulatory framework. A public committee has been tasked with assessing how maritime regulations should adapt to emerging technologies, alternative fuels, new propulsion systems, autonomy, and associated crew safety considerations.

For offshore vessel operators and contractors, the regulations signal a clear direction of travel towards lower-emission operations in one of the world’s most important offshore energy markets.