Nomination of areas for storage of CO2 on the Norwegian continental shelf

The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy have invited the industry to nominate suitable areas in the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea for exploration for potential reservoirs for permanent storage of CO2 from Mongstad.

- The transport and storage of CO2 from Mongstad will be one of the first projects of its kind where CO2 from a full-scale carbon capture plant is transported for storage on the continental shelf. By launching a nomination process, I want to ensure that companies with relevant expertise are able to participate in the project, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Ola Borten Moe.

The companies’ nominations will provide an important basis for the Ministry’s assessments in relation to an announcement. Invitations are sent to all operators on the Norwegian continental shelf and will be announced in the Norwegian Gazette so that other qualified companies can nominate areas.

- The Government places great emphasis on capture and storage of CO2 as a measure to reduce CO2 emissions. The planning and preparation of full-scale capture, transport and storage at Mongstad is central to the government’s efforts to develop and implement capture and storage of CO2 in the years to come, says Borten Moe.

Through this nomination process, the Ministry wants to start a process that can provide industry access to areas for future permanent storage of CO2 from Mongstad and other potential sources in combination with CO2 from Mongstad.

Deadline for nominations is 4 October 2011, at 12:00.