The UK is gearing up for its first carbon dioxide (CO2) injection test, a pivotal step for carbon capture and storage (CCS). At the forefront of this initiative are Perenco and Carbon Catalyst. The initiative is being carried out at the Leman gas field in the southern North Sea.
As per a report from Offshore Energy, the project focuses on the UK’s largest depleted gas field.
Progress on the Poseidon CCS Project
The Poseidon CCS project began in August 2023 after the partners obtained a license to develop the site. Germany’s Wintershall Dea acquired a 10% stake in the project from Carbon Catalyst in November, expanding its CCS portfolio in the UK. The portfolio also includes the Camelot CCS project.
Senior Project Engineer Diego Andres Kettle from Petrodec stated that system testing and a trial in port are imminent, as per a Carbon Herald report. The team expects the rig to depart by late December, marking another significant milestone.
Also read: UK Government Launches Consultation on CORSIA Implementation
Leman Reservoir
The Leman Reservoir complex combines depleted gas reservoirs and saline aquifers. The reservoir complex is the largest on the UK Continental Shelf. With an estimated storage capacity of 1,000 million tons of CO2, it represents a critical asset for long term storage.
The project connects to the PUK Bacton Terminal for CO2 processing and aims to start operations by 2029. Initial injection rates are expected to reach 1.5 million tons annually. The plan is to scale them up to 10 million tons by 2034. Over the next 40 years, the project could potentially store 40 million tons of CO2 annually.
Expansion Through Orion CCS Project
Apart from Poseidon, Perence and Carbon Catalyst are making progress on another project – the Orion CCS project. This initiative targets the decommissioned Amethyst field and the active West Sole field. It highlights the potential of repurposing depleted gas reservoirs for permanent CO2 storage.
Both projects underscore the importance of utilizing existing infrastructure to meet the UK’s carbon reduction goals. These efforts mark a significant stride toward sustainable energy solutions.