Innovation 20-03-2023
Energy Transition Photo for illustration

Denmark injects CO2 in depleted oil field

Project Greensand shows for the first time the feasibility of CO2 storage from being captured at an INEOS Oxide site in Belgium, to being transported cross-border and safely and permanently stored in the INEOS-operated Nini field in the Danish North Sea.

 

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark officially initiated this world first with the safe injection of carbon dioxide from Belgium into a depleted oil field in the Danish North Sea on 8 March.

 

‘This is a big moment for Europe’s green transition, and for our clean tech industry, the first ever full value chain, for carbon capture and storage in Europe,’ says Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. ‘You are showing that it can be done. That we can grow our industry through innovation and competition, and at the same time, remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere, through ingenuity and cooperation. This is what Europe’s competitive sustainability is all about.’

 

The First Carbon Storage event to celebrate the achievement was held in Esbjerg, Denmark, and hosted by INEOS and Wintershall Dea, lead partners in the Project Greensand consortium.

 

8 million tonnes of CO2

By 2030, Project Greensand aims to store up to 8 million tonnes of CO2 per year in this area while continuing to make significant contributions to our understanding and growth of carbon storage technology.

 

The European Commission estimates that the EU will need to store up to 300 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2050 to meet its climate goals.

 

Project Greensand

Project Greensand is a consortium of 23 organisations with expertise in Carbon Capture and Storage, including business, academia, government and start-ups. It is supported by the Danish state through the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Program (EUDP). CCS is considered a key technology in reaching the Danish 2045 net zero target.

 

The CO2 injected into the Nini field is stored at a depth of about 1800 metres below the seabed and will be closely monitored.

 

Hugo Dijkgraaf says: ‘INEOS and Wintershall Dea are leveraging two decades of experience from oil production in the Nini West field and have extensive knowledge of the reservoirs being used.’

 

Source: SWZ Maritime