EC-Norway energy dialogue: both parties confirm strong commitment to carbon capture and storage technology

Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and Minister Odd Roger Enoksen met in Stavanger yesterday and today to exchange views on the EU's recently adopted Energy Policy for Europe and its follow up. The discussion also focused on the liberalisation of the energy markets, the supply and demand of gas in the European Economic Area, the possibilities offered by Carbon Capture and Storage technology and international energy cooperation matters. Both sides took note of the activities of the Joint Energy Cooperation Group, established in September 2006.

After the presentation of the interim report on the EU - Norway joint study on supply and demand of gas in the European Economic Area, the Commissioner said: ''I am particularly encouraged to take note of planned increase in gas supplies from Norway, which could reach 125 -140 bcm by mid next decade from the current level of about 90 bcm. This is important taking into account the expected growth of gas consumption and the need for additional gas supplies in the EU in the years to come." Both parties agreed to finalise the study by the end of 2007 focusing on new pipeline projects and gas trade issues.

Upon reviewing the cooperation between the two parties, both Mr Piebalgs and Mr Enoksen agreed to further examine aspects such as:

• Possibilities of the participation of Norway in the EU formal and informal groups;
• EU programmes relevant to Norway in the energy field and cooperation on specific projects;
• All aspects related to CCS (legal, research and public acceptance);
• The energy aspects of the Northern dimension.

Today the Commissioner and the Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy visited the Sleipner offshore field where carbon dioxide (CO2) has been safely stored 1000 meters beneath the seabed in the Utsira sandstone formation for more than 10 years (capable of storing over 600 billion tons of CO2). The Saline aquifer carbon dioxide storage (SACS) project – co-funded by the European Commission and hosted by Statoil - has demonstrated that the injected gas remains in place. Both the EU Commission and Norway are working hard to get demonstration projects for carbon capture technology in place as soon as possible.

-Being a nation rich on energy, which is strongly committed to combating the challenges of climate change, Norway aims at making Carbon Capture and Storage a reality. We are committed to support technological solutions in this field in cooperation with companies, research institutions, as well as other nations, declared Mr Enoksen.

-I am convinced that Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) could contribute substantially in our efforts to reduce the world's CO2 emissions. It has been demonstrated at the Sleipner field, that it is possible to safely store CO2, said Commissioner Piebalgs upon returning from the field. 

Stavanger, 25 June 2007