Morecambe gas fields could be converted for CO2 storage

STAINES, UK— Spirit Energy plans to convert the depleted South Morecambe and North Morecambe gas fields in the East Irish Sea, and the associated Barrow terminals, into a carbon storage cluster, the company announced in late January.

The project, which would require a license from the North Sea Transition Authority and other regulatory approvals, would provide a multi-billion-pound investment in the local economy, the company said, as well as supporting thousands of jobs both locally in northwest England and in the company’s Aberdeen office.

The planned development could store up to 1 gigaton of CO₂, Spirit added, equivalent to about three years of the UK’s current CO₂ emissions. This could be supplied from carbon-intensive industries in the Northwest, South Wales, and the Solent in southern England.

The site’s location, close to the Port of Barrow, would allow for transportation of CO₂ by ship.

Spirit brings 50 years of experience from operating the South Morecambe and North Morecambe fields. Gas production will continue until the fields are fully depleted, anticipated later this decade, to ensure continuity of domestic energy supplies, while work on carbon storage proceeds in tandem.

Spirit added that it is also investigating the potential for blue hydrogen production, hydrogen power generation, direct air capture and integration with renewable power generation.

02.16.2023