Research to Explore Attitudes and perceptions to Decommissioning in the Marine Environment (READ-ME)

Understanding how people and stakeholders view the decommissioning of marine artificial structures in the North Sea
Oil rig at sunset

Research to Explore Attitudes and perceptions to Decommissioning in the Marine Environment (READ-ME)

Understanding how people and stakeholders view the decommissioning of marine artificial structures in the North Sea
Title: Research to Explore Attitudes and perceptions to Decommissioning in the Marine Environment (READ-ME)
Funded by:
Funding amount: £342,000
Location: North Sea
Dates: 2025–2027
Project partners: University of Aberdeen, Daryl Burdon Ltd., ECAP Consultancy Group, National Decommissioning Centre
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ PI: Professor Sian Rees 
ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ staff: Dr Anaelle Lemasson, Ms Riley Bibaud 
 

Overview

This project brings together marine social scientists, ecologists and industry specialists to understand how people and stakeholders view the decommissioning of marine artificial structures (MAS) in the North Sea, including oil and gas platforms, offshore wind farms and shipwrecks. 
Using surveys, stakeholder analysis and innovative Delphi consensus methods enhanced with immersive 3D visualisations, the research explores how attitudes change under different evidence-based scenarios.

Objectives

  1. What is the globally relevant economic, social and environmental evidence/information relating to the decommissioning of oil and gas platforms and offshore windfarms (and their associated infrastructure), and the presence of shipwrecks (under different management)?
  2. When considering equity in marine management, which stakeholder groups (including members of the public) should be targeted when considering the effects of the decommissioning of MAS?
  3. What are stakeholders' (including members of the public) baseline perceptions (and rationale) of decommissioning of MAS?
  4. How do these baseline perceptions change according to different evidence-based narrative scenarios for MAS decommissioning?

The decommissioning of marine artificial structures presents a complex and pressing challenge for sustainable ocean management.

Set against a backdrop of the global climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis, not to mention a time of significant change for the UK's energy industry, our project will create an evidence-based and stakeholder-informed foundation for guiding decommissioning that directly supports policy development, public engagement, and sustainable marine governance.

Sian ReesProfessor Sian Rees
Associate Head of School - Research

 
 
 

Centre for Marine Biology and Conservation Science (CMACS)

CMACS unites the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾'s long-standing and internationally recognised research in marine biology and marine conservation science. 
By providing an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for knowledge exchange and relationship development, CMACS drives ambitious, innovative, interdisciplinary, world-class marine research.
 
Man fishing in small boat above coral reef, CMACS