Phase 3

Phase 3

Purpose 

The purpose of Phase 3, and indeed the ongoing aim of the INSITE Programme, is to provide stakeholders with the independent scientific evidence-base needed to better understand the influence of marine artificial structures (MAS) on the North Sea ecosystem.  

Funding and Timeline 

INSITE Phase 3 has secured £2.025 million from 9 sponsors to run for three years from September 2024 to September 2027. The programme includes a major collaboration with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) on the Value of Marine Artificial Structures (ValMAS) project, which brings an additional £5 million in funding, alongside INSITE commissioned projects specifically designed to address identified research priorities. 

Research Priorities 

Phase 3 targets critical gaps in decommissioning evidence, contaminants and breakdown materials from pipelines, while advancing understanding of the ecological value of marine artificial structures. This phase will build strong stakeholder relationships through effective engagement, working to bridge a policy-science disconnect identified in Phase 2. and facilitate collaboration between industry and scientific research teams.  

Projects 

Three projects will form the core of Phase 3’s Research Programme (2024-2027): 

• Decommissioning Effects will produce a comprehensive review of short-term effects from subsea oil and gas structures under different decommissioning scenarios—full removal, partial removal, or leave in place—and recommend key environmental monitoring variables. 

• Fate of Pipelines involves a rapid review and gap analysis of pipeline breakdown evidence, creating a synthesis report of literature, lab studies, and dispersal modelling to reveal effects and risks across short (0-5 years), medium (5-30 years), and long-term (30-100+ years) timeframes. 

• Social Attitudes and Perceptions to Decommissioning Marine Artificial Structures will deliver a concise, accessible information package on marine artificial structures environmental, social, and economic considerations, alongside a comprehensive report on public attitudes and perceptions regarding marine artificial structures. 

A fourth project is co-funded by the INSITE sponsors and NERC: 

• Value of Marine Artificial Structures (ValMAS, 2025-2029) will uncover how marine artificial structures shape ecosystems by applying cutting-edge natural capital approaches to reveal their value and impact. From deployment to decommissioning, we will develop evidence and tools that drive nature-positive decisions across oil and gas, offshore wind, and fisheries—supporting nature recovery, marine net gain, and progress towards UK and international environmental goals. 

Engagement and Impact  

INSITE disseminates findings through diverse channels including major conferences such as the Marine Alliance of Science and Technology Annual Science Meeting and International Council for Exploration of the Seas Annual Science Meeting, as well as the INSITE-managed annual Structures In the Marine Environment conference, and other INSITE policy briefs, webinars and website updates. 

INSITE provides more targeted stakeholder briefings, engaging with UK government bodies including Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Scottish Government, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Natural England, NatureScot, Marine Management Organisation, OPRED, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, North Sea Transition Authority, The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland, alongside OSPAR and industry groups, such as Offshore Energies UK and International Association of Oil and Gas Producers. If you would like a briefing on any INSITE research please contact us here.