Abby L. Harvey
GHG Monitor
5/15/2015
Gassnova has identified a potential path forward for the realization of a full-scale carbon capture and storage project in Norway in a new pre-feasibility study conducted for the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and released late last week. Gassnova identified three emitters that show promise as potential carbon capture sources—an ammonia plant operated by Norwegian chemical company Yara, a cement plant operated by Norcem and a waste incineration facility operated by the Waste-to-Energy Agnecy of Oslo. "Gassnova’s pre-feasibility study indicates that it may be possible to realize our ambition of a full-scale CCS demonstration project in Norway," Minister of Petroleum and Energy Tord Lien said in a Gassnova press release. "We will study the report thoroughly and consider how we’ll follow up the input from the industrial actors and Gassnova’s recommendations."
Moving forward, Gassnova recommended to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy that work continue to facilitate feasibility studies at the Yara and Norcem plants and that communications continue concerning further studies of the Waste-to-Energy Agency site. "Gassnova recommends that the government prepares for feasibility studies to be undertaken according to the rules/legislation for pre-commercial procurement," the study says. "Furthermore, Gassnova recommends that the goals of a project, as well as roles, responsibilities and support mechanisms/measures should be further elucidated before commencing feasibility studies. During this phase, a procurement process should be carried out as to who should be tasked with the construction and operation of a CCS project." According to the study, if this process is followed, a basis for an investment decision may be put forward by autumn 2018. However, the document warns, "deploying a full scale CCS project by 2020 will be very challenging."
Further Studies of Potential Storage Sites Needed
The report addresses not only carbon capture but also transportation and storage. Transportation of CO2 is a technologically mature process and both transport by ship or pipe is considered feasible. However, more analysis is needed when it comes to carbon storage sites. "Gassnova has underlined that none of the potential storage alternatives have been fully studied to the level required for a prefeasibility study and as such cannot make recommendations as to which alternative is more suitable," the study says.
Injection of CO2 has been ongoing off the coast of Norway for nearly 20 years. Currently, 15 million tonnes of CO2 has been injected into the Utsira formation at the Sleipner platforms. That formation has been found to be suitable for CO2 storage, but Gassnova noted capacity concerns in its study when considering the existing well. "The existing injection well at Sleipner has, however, a limited capacity for the volumes expected from a full scale capture facility as outlined in the pre-feasibility study," the study says, later noting that Statiol has concluded that "utilising existing platforms at Sleipner for the storage of new volumes of CO2 from a capture project on the Norwegian mainland currently is not an option." Storage into the Utsira could be possible, but a new well would have to be drilled, preferably in a separate part of the formation than Sleipner.
