Norway proved its potential for taking off the carbon capture and storage industry once again. The government announced last week it is opening two new areas for carbon capture and storage (CCS) – one located in the North Sea and the other under the Barents Sea.
The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy announced it will be taking applications for CO2 storage in the new locations following significant interest from several unnamed industry players. Applications will be accepted until the 9th of December.
Norway has regulations set in place since 2014 for activities exploring subsea reservoirs for CO2 storage, as well as for utilization, transport, and storage of CO2 in those reservoirs. The regulation is called the CO2 Storage Regulations and the permits given to the applicants will be granted in accordance with them.
“Capture and storage of CO2 is an area where Norway has a unique opportunity to really make a difference on the way to a global low-emission society,” said Tina Bru, the Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy.
Carbon Capture And Storage Experience
The country has a long track record of developing carbon capture plants as part of its climate change policy. One example is the Sleipner CCS facility located at the Sleipner West and East natural gas fields in the central part of the North Sea.
It is said to be the longest in operation in the world and has started in August 1997. Operated by Equinor and a group of partner companies, it has the capacity to store up to 1 million tons of CO2 per year.
With its 24 years of operation, it is acting as a landmark for other carbon capture and storage projects around the world as it has proven it is technically viable to inject CO2 under the seabed.
The Norwegian government announcing two new carbon capture and storage sites is a meaningful sign Eastern European countries are taking steps to achieve carbon neutrality and decarbonize heavy industries.
