TotalEnergies, Equinor, and Shell have launched the second phase of the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, which will increase the project’s CO2 transport and storage capacity from 1.5 million tonnes to over 5 million tonnes annually, commencing in 2028.
The first phase of the Northern Lights JV project has been completed and is ready to receive CO2 from industrial emitters, with the first CO2 transportation expected this summer, from Heidelberg Materials’ cement plant in Brevik, Norway.
This CO2 will be stored in a permanent reservoir located 2,600 metres below the seabed off the coast of Øygarden, western Norway.
Second phase
The second phase of the project, which is valued at around NOK 7.5 billion ($700 million), will enhance the project’s infrastructure with new storage tanks, pumps, a jetty, injection wells, and transport vessels. This expansion is due for completion by the second half of 2028, TotalEnergies noted.
“I am delighted of the launch of Northern Lights phase 2, which represents a significant step forward for the CCS industry,” commented Nicolas Terraz, president, exploration & production, TotalEnergies. “Northern Lights can thus provide a concrete solution for the hard-to-abate industrial emitters in Europe, so that they can reduce their CO2 emissions and thereby secure their businesses’ sustainability.”
The second phase also incorporates a 15-year commercial agreement with Sweden-based Stockholm Exergi, to transport and store 900,000 tonnes of biogenic CO2 emissions annually, also commencing in 2028.
Stockholm Exergi is the fifth company to partner with Northern Lights for CO2 storage, following Heidelberg Materials and Celsio in Norway, Yara in the Netherlands and Ørsted in Denmark.
‘An important milestone’
Tim Heijn, managing director of Northern Lights JV, added that the decision to expand the CO2 transport and storage services “represents the next step in building a commercially viable CCS market in Europe. It confirms Northern Lights’ commitment to offer an effective solution for companies to reduce emissions.
“The investment decision is an important milestone for our company, our customers and industry partners, governments and regulators. We have jointly been working hard to establish the CCS chain and make a real difference enabling Europe to achieve climate targets.” Read more here and here.
