Opsealog: Bunker fuel efficiency, not regulation, should drive offshore vessel performance

As emissions regulations evolve across Europe, offshore vessel operators have growing incentives to improve marine fuel monitoring and performance. However, the commercial benefits of reducing fuel consumption extend beyond regulatory compliance.

Damien Bertin, Business Director at Opsealog, examines how better operational planning, performance monitoring and standby practices can help offshore fleets achieve measurable fuel savings and lower emissions:

For many offshore operators, discussions around emissions data and fuel monitoring increasingly take place in the context of regulation, particularly in Europe. EU MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) requirements have already expanded to include offshore vessels, the European Commission has published proposals that would extend the EU ETS framework further, and countries such as Norway are introducing their own emissions requirements for offshore oil and gas activities.

Yet while regulation continues to tighten in certain jurisdictions, it should not be the primary reason for operators to invest in better fuel performance. The strongest driver remains commercial performance. Every unnecessary cubic metre of fuel burned increases operating costs, while also adding to emissions. Improving fuel efficiency therefore delivers value today, regardless of future regulatory requirements, whether local, regional or global.  

Across more than a decade of supporting marine offshore operations and analysing performance for over 1,000 offshore support vessels, Opsealog has consistently found that the operators achieving the greatest efficiency gains are not necessarily those collecting the most data. They are the operators that translate data into practical operational decisions, establish clear ownership of performance indicators and review results regularly enough to identify opportunities before inefficiencies become embedded.

This distinction is particularly important in offshore operations because not all fuel consumption is equal. A platform supply vessel undertaking dynamic positioning work cannot be assessed in the same way as one in transit, waiting on standby, or operating alongside an installation. Looking only at total daily fuel consumption often hides the operational picture. Breaking fuel use down by operating mode allows operators to benchmark similar activities fairly, identify where fuel is being consumed and understand whether operational changes are delivering measurable improvements.

In practice, some of the most valuable opportunities come from relatively small changes rather than major technical interventions. Better planning between vessel operators and charterers, reducing unnecessary standby time and reviewing dynamic positioning practices can all contribute to meaningful fuel savings when applied consistently across a fleet. 

A practical example can be found in Opsealog’s work with ADNOC Logistics & Services. Analysis showed that some of ADNOC’s vessels could spend up to 80% of their time in standby, with engines continuing to run while the vessels maintained position near offshore installations. Working within the operation’s safety requirements, the teams identified opportunities to install mooring buoys and increase anchor use where appropriate, reducing reliance on dynamic positioning and cutting engine running hours. At the time the case study was published, ADNOC L&S reported average fuel savings of 400 m³ per month following these changes to standby practices.

The importance of operational discipline rather than simply data collection was reinforced during discussions at the OSJ London conference earlier this year. Participants recognised that digital maturity across the offshore support vessel sector still has considerable room for improvement, despite significant advances in monitoring technology. Success depends on setting clear objectives, assigning ownership of key performance indicators and establishing structured review processes that enable crews and shore teams to act on the information they receive.

The scale of the potential gains is demonstrated by results at both individual-vessel and fleet level. At vessel level, Tullow Ghana’s ‘MV Flat Confidence’ received Opsealog’s inaugural Fuel Efficiency Award after reducing fuel consumption by 732.6 m³ and avoiding 1,984 tonnes of CO₂. The vessel was recognised for consistent fuel-efficiency improvements achieved through disciplined best-practice application over a full year, including a 95% best-practice application rate during on-field standby.

At fleet level, ADNOC Logistics & Services reported in February 2026 that its programme, which now covers more than 100 offshore support vessels, including Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs), Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels (AHTSs), and Fast Support Intervention Vessels (FSIVs), had delivered cumulative savings exceeding 20,400 m³ of fuel and 55,600 tonnes of CO₂. These examples demonstrate that meaningful efficiency gains are achievable without waiting for new propulsion technologies or future regulatory deadlines. 

Nevertheless, while commercial performance should remain the primary motivation, the regulatory picture can still reinforce the direction of travel. The European Commission’s recent proposals for offshore vessels represent further progress towards a more tailored regulatory framework, while Norway’s phased greenhouse gas intensity requirements demonstrate that governments are continuing to increase expectations around emissions performance. The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has welcomed the EU proposals for recognition of offshore-specific terminology and operating realities, while also highlighting the need for clearer interim guidance to ensure that the framework works effectively for project-based offshore operations. 

The important point is that operators do not need to wait for every regulatory detail to be finalised before taking action. The commercial case for improving fuel performance already exists. Better operational data supports more informed decision-making, helps identify opportunities to reduce fuel consumption and creates a stronger foundation for whatever regulatory requirements emerge in the years ahead.

Competitive advantage will come from consistently using high-quality operational information to make better decisions, improve efficiency and embed a culture of continuous performance improvement across the fleet.

Photo credit: Opsealog
Published: 23 October, 2026