Carbon capture at Kårstø: The procurement process comes to a halt – integration is under consideration

The Norwegian Government has decided to halt the procurement process for the assignment of contracts to construct the CO2 capture and storage (CCS) facility at Kårstø, until the gas-fired power plant’s operational pattern becomes clearer or other solutions that ensure regularity of production and emissions of CO2 from the power plant become evident. At the same time, the Government will consider an integration of energy systems between the power plant and the gas processing facility at Kårstø, which may contribute to a reduction of total emissions.

- The goal for the work on CCS at Kårstø is to reduce emissions from one of Norway’s largest sources of CO2. We will now consider a solution with integration which may reduce emissions. The results of this will be an important contribution to further work on CCS at Kårstø, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Riis-Johansen.

An integration of energy systems at Kårstø involves the usage of electricity and heat from the gas-fired power plant at the gas processing facility, thereby replacing existing gas-fired compressors and boilers. The Government will consider technical and commercial aspects of an integration of this type.

- The Norwegian Government has also made it clear that the operational pattern of the gas-fired power plant will be given special consideration when the investment decision is made. Therefore, the Government has decided to suspend the procurement process until the operational pattern of the gas-fired power plant at Kårstø becomes clearer, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Riis-Johansen.

The gas-fired power plant at Kårstø has had an irregular operational pattern since it was commissioned in the fall of 2007. The power plant has been out of operation for extensive periods, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions in comparison to a facility in continuous operation. Lower emissions from the power plant will not reduce the costs of a full-scale CO2-capture facility. Irregular operation of the power plant in the years to come will limit the environmental benefit of a CO2 capture facility.