The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) requires the provision of specialised environmental and decommissioning services to support its functions relating to the regulation of offshore oil and gas exploration, production and decommissioning activities, on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

Description of procurement: The key function will be to provide specialist environmental and decommissioning advice to DECC so that it can effectively fulfil its regulatory remit of ensuring:

— Proper assessment of the environmental impact of oil and gas development activity;

— Optimum economic and environmental consideration of decommissioning proposals.

The programme aims to deliver:

— An improved understanding of the environmental impacts of oil and gas activity and the mitigation measures to be adopted;

— Dissemination of specialist knowledge and best practice in oil and gas operations in the UKCS and other areas of activity;

— A prolonged self-sufficiency in oil and gas, with deferment of abandonment costs, and life extension of facilities and infrastructure;

— Possible reductions in decommissioning costs.