Northern Lights (CCS project)

Northern Lights (CCS project). Northern Lights is a pioneering, large-scale carbon capture and storage project designed to transport and permanently store carbon dioxide captured from industrial emitters across Europe. Developed as a key component of the Norwegian full-scale Longship initiative, it represents the world's first cross-border, open-source CO2 transport and storage infrastructure. The project is a joint venture between the energy companies Equinor, Shell, and TotalEnergies, aiming to decarbonize European industry and establish a new market for CCS.

Overview

The Northern Lights project is central to Norway's ambitious climate strategy and its commitment to developing carbon capture and storage as a critical climate solution. It functions as the transport and storage segment of the broader Norwegian full-scale Longship project, which also includes capture facilities at industrial sites like the Norcem Brevik cement plant. The infrastructure is designed to be an open-access service, allowing emitters from countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and France to ship their captured CO2 for permanent geological storage beneath the North Sea. This model is intended to catalyze the development of a European CCS market and help meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Development and partners

The project is developed and operated by Northern Lights JV DA, a joint venture equally owned by the Norwegian state-owned energy major Equinor, the Anglo-Dutch multinational Shell, and the French energy giant TotalEnergies. The venture was established following a decision by the Norwegian government to fund the Longship initiative through its Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Key development contracts have been awarded to firms like Aker Solutions and McDermott International. The project has also secured memoranda of understanding with numerous industrial partners across Europe, including Yara, Fortum Oslo Varme, and Heidelberg Materials.

Technology and infrastructure

The Northern Lights infrastructure chain begins with the receipt of liquefied carbon dioxide at a dedicated terminal in the industrial port of Øygarden, Norway. Specially designed CO2 carrier ships, such as the *Aurora*, transport the gas from capture sites in Europe to this terminal. From there, the CO2 is piped through a subsea pipeline to an injection wellhead on the seabed approximately 100 kilometers offshore. The gas is then injected into a saline aquifer formation in the Johansen Formation, located more than 2,600 meters below the seabed within the Norwegian Continental Shelf, where it is monitored to ensure permanent containment.

Timeline and milestones

The project concept was matured following a feasibility study initiated by Gassnova and the Norwegian authorities. The final investment decision for the first phase was made by the partners and the Norwegian government in 2020. Construction of the onshore facilities in Øygarden and the subsea pipeline commenced shortly after. The drilling of the first injection well was completed by the Deepsea Aberdeen rig in 2023. The project's Phase 1, with an initial capacity of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year, became operational in 2024, with the first commercial deliveries of CO2 arriving from the Norcem Brevik plant and other European sources.

Significance and impact

Northern Lights is widely regarded as a landmark project for the global deployment of carbon capture and storage technology. By providing a shared, open-access storage solution, it reduces the risk and cost for individual industrial emitters, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors like cement and waste-to-energy. The project is a cornerstone of the European Union's strategy to achieve climate neutrality, supported by policies like the Net-Zero Industry Act and the Innovation Fund. Its success is seen as crucial for demonstrating the technical and commercial viability of CCS at scale, potentially paving the way for similar projects in the North Sea region and beyond.

Category:Carbon capture and storage Category:Energy in Norway Category:North Sea