Perenco and Carbon Catalyst are finalizing preparations for the UK’s first carbon dioxide (CO2) injection test at the Leman gas fields in the southern North Sea.
This marks a significant milestone for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the region, targeting the UK’s largest depleted gas field.
The Poseidon CCS project began in August 2023 when the partners secured a license to develop the site.
In November, Germany’s Wintershall Dea acquired a 10% stake from Carbon Catalyst, strengthening its UK CCS portfolio, which also includes the Camelot project.
Louis Hannecart, CCS Manager at Perenco, highlighted the collaborative efforts with Petrodec and SLB to modify the Erda rig, typically used for oil and gas operations, to carry out CO2 injection operations.
“We are currently in the mobilization phase of the rigs that will support the coming injection test on Leman,” he said.
Relevant: Perenco & Carbon Catalyst Awarded License For Poseidon Carbon Capture Project
Senior Project Engineer Diego Andres Kettle from Petrodec confirmed that system testing and a trial in port are imminent before the rig sets sail by late December.
The Leman reservoir complex, the largest on the UK Continental Shelf, combines depleted gas reservoirs and saline aquifers for long-term CO2 storage, with a capacity of approximately 1,000 million tons.
Linked to the PUK Bacton Terminal for CO2 processing, the project is scheduled to begin operations by 2029.
Initial injection rates are projected at 1.5 million tons annually, scaling up to 10 million tons by 2034 and potentially reaching 40 million tons per annum over 40 years.
Additionally, Perenco and Carbon Catalyst are advancing the Orion CCS project, which involves the decommissioned Amethyst field and the active West Sole field, further showcasing the potential of depleted gas reservoirs for permanent CO2 storage.
