Norway has announced a major expansion of its Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, increasing its capacity to 5 million tons of CO2 per year.
The move positions Norway as a global leader in industrial carbon storage, transforming its offshore expertise from extracting hydrocarbons to locking away emissions beneath the seabed.
Northern Lights is part of Longship, Norway’s state-backed CCS initiative that captures CO2 from industrial sites across Europe, liquefies it, and ships it to Norway for permanent storage 2,600 meters (8,530 ft) below the North Sea.
The first phase of the project, already operational, captures and stores 1.5 million tons of CO2 annually. Phase 2, announced in 2025, will scale capacity more than threefold.
It will include new injection wells, expanded onshore storage tanks at the Øygarden terminal, and additional shipping infrastructure to receive CO2 from emitters in Germany, the Netherlands, and potentially Poland by 2028.
How It Works: Locking Carbon Beneath the Seabed
Captured CO2 is liquefied, transported by ship to Øygarden, and piped 100 kilometers (62 miles) offshore into deep saline aquifers.
The gas is injected through wells and sealed under impermeable rock formations, where pressure and movement are continuously monitored using advanced sensors and satellite systems to ensure long-term stability.
Relevant: Finland And Norway Deepen Climate Cooperation With Cross-Border Carbon Storage Deal
The initiative builds on Norway’s long history of offshore engineering and could create a blueprint for global CCS infrastructure. Proponents say it supports “hard-to-abate” sectors and could anchor a new green export industry.
Earlier this year, the project officially commenced operations, with the first volumes of CO2 already injected and securely stored.
Read more: Northern Lights Injects First CO2, Paving Way for European CCS Expansion
