40 years of North Sea data powers researchers’ understanding of marine life
One year after the launch of the North Sea Environment Portal, researchers, authorities, and advisers have gained much easier access to data on the North Sea’s marine environment.
Developed by TotalEnergies in collaboration with DHI, the portal compiles more than 40 years of environmental data and already supports new analyses of biodiversity, seabed conditions, and climate impacts.
Since going live, it has been accessed over 2,500 times by users worldwide - including GEUS and DTU researchers conducting longterm marine studies.
Historic data provides new understanding of the marine environment
Research groups from GEUS use the portal in a project examining variations in fauna before, during, and after oil and gas production. Geologist and paleontologist Bodil Wesenberg Lauridsen explains that particularly the access to biological platform data has opened new opportunities:
“We can now compare geological data dating back 10,000 years with the past 30 years of environmental measurements and see how selected species react to both natural conditions and human activities. This has not been possible before.”
The North Sea is undergoing significant development with the expansion of offshore wind, CCS projects, and the decommissioning of older oil and gas installations. The extensive datasets make it possible to link biological and geological observations, giving researchers a stronger foundation for understanding climate effects and environmental developments over time.
A stronger decision making foundation in a time of transition
The portal was launched by DHI in collaboration with TotalEnergies, which as the operator of the Danish Underground Consortium has chosen to make large amounts of historic offshore data publicly available.
“As energy infrastructure in the North Sea continues to evolve, a solid scientific foundation is essential. By sharing our environmental data, we help ensure that researchers and authorities can make the best possible decisions regarding the marine environment and future projects,” says Ole Hansen, Managing Director of TotalEnergies EP Danmark. “It is encouraging to see such strong interest in the portal already.”
DHI is responsible for operating and developing the portal and continuously adds new datasets - most recently for 2024.
Historically, these data have been stored in reports and local archives, but with the North Sea Environment Portal, users can retrieve information within seconds - a major efficiency boost for both research and regulatory work.
Data offers new insight into changes in mussel species
According to the GEUS researchers, the historic datasets have changed the understanding of certain species. Among other findings, the data show that the mussel family Thyasiridae, which thrives in lowoxygen environments, has been part of the North Sea ecosystem long before offshore platforms were established.
“They respond strongly to methane release, and with the long time series we can see that changes in their occurrence cannot be explained by human activity alone,” says Bodil Wesenberg Lauridsen.
About TotalEnergies in Denmark
TotalEnergies has operated in Denmark for over 50 years and is among the country’s leading energy companies producing more than 80% of the oil and 90% of the gas in the Danish North Sea. With approximately 1,000 employees based in Copenhagen, Esbjerg, and offshore locations, the Company makes a significant contribution to Denmark’s energy supply, economy, and employment. As a multi-energy business, TotalEnergies is developing a renewables portfolio, including offshore wind projects with a capacity of 405 MW, and advancing its Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) initiatives in support of Europe’s low-carbon transition.