Neptune Energy has awarded DNV a contract to study carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipeline materials that will assess fracture and the suitability of offshore pipelines for reuse in CO2 transport.

The pipeline materials analysis is part of a larger feasibility study conducted by Neptune Energy, in cooperation with its licensing partners and carbon dioxide (CO2) emitters, to review plans for a CCS project. large-scale offshore in Zone 10 operated by Neptune. in the Dutch North Sea.

If the project is developed, it will be one of the largest CCS facilities in the Dutch North Sea and could meet more than 50% of the CO2 reduction targeted by the Dutch industrial sector.

Prajeev Rasiah, Executive Vice President, Regional Director of Energy Systems for Northern Europe at DNV, said: “We see CCS as one of the means to accelerate the decarbonisation of the energy sector. DNV is a pioneer in the field of CCS, with an experience dating back to the 1990s, and we are delighted to be part of a project of this magnitude with Neptune Energy. With the potential to be one of the largest CCS facilities in the Dutch North Sea, large-scale projects like these will be important for advancing CCS technology and reducing costs.

“Our research team will bring first-hand experience and knowledge from various projects related to CO2 transport, with a particular focus on common ductile fracture. In particular, the knowledge acquired through joint industrial projects such as CO2SafeArrest will contribute to the work. “

René van der Meer, Head of New Energies at Neptune Energy, said: “Given the existing infrastructure that connects offshore to onshore, there is real potential for the Dutch North Sea to develop new energy. faster, more efficiently and safely. With the support of partners, such as the experienced team at DNV, we are well positioned to enable offshore CCS and offshore green hydrogen production using existing infrastructure. Using what already exists will not only speed up new energy projects, but will cost much less and will not unnecessarily disturb the environment such as the seabed.

The first phase of the DNV study will identify the most advanced approaches for ductile failure assessments in dense phase CO2 pipeline systems and the applicability of these assessments to welded and seamless subsea pipelines. This phase will involve reviews of the technical literature to understand the most appropriate approach to characterize the failure behavior of the material.

The most appropriate approach, identified in the first phase, will be used in the second phase of the study to assess the likely suitability of existing pipelines for the transport of dense phase CO2 up to 120 bar.

The outcome of the study will inform the ongoing feasibility study of Neptune to provide an increased level of confidence in the suitability, or otherwise, of existing pipelines that would be configured to inject between five and eight million tonnes of CO2 per year. in exhausted gas fields. , said DNV.