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    Equinor, Microsoft enter CCS agreement

    Oct. 15, 2020
    Equinor has signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft on supporting the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage project.
    (Courtesy Equinor)
    Northern Lights

    Offshore staff

    STAVANGER, Norway – Equinor has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft on supporting the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage (CCS) project.

    As a technology partner, Microsoft will assess ways of facilitating the planned transportation and storage of CO2 captured from onshore industrial sources in a reservoir in the northern Norwegian North Sea.

    Equinor is developing the project in an equal partnership with Shell and Total.

    Phase 1 of the development includes capacity to transport, inject, and store up to 1.5 MM metric tons/yr (1.65 Mm tons) of CO2 2,500 m (8,202 ft) below the seabed.

    Under the agreement, Equinor and Microsoft will assess ways of integrating Microsoft’s digital expertise into the project, using Northern Lights’ CO2 transport and storage facility as part of the company’s portfolio of carbon capture, transportation, and storage project.

    Microsoft may also invest in the development of Northern Lights.

    “Together with the other Northern Lights partners, we will explore how this carbon capture and storage project can help potential future customers to mitigate emissions caused by their own energy use,” said Syrie Crouch, vice president for CCUS in Shell.

    “This relationship will make de-carbonization solutions including carbon capture and storage technology available to increasing numbers of customers.”

    The partners aim to form a joint venture, responsible for creating an open-source, ship-based carbon transport and storage network including developing business models to store CO2 captured from across Europe.

    The final investment decision, subject to the Norwegian parliament’s approval, should come later this year, while operations could start in the first half of 2024.

    To date, MoUs have been signed with eight European entities: Air Liquide, Arcelor Mittal, Ervia, Fortum, HeidelbergCement, Preem, Stockholm Exergi, and ETH Zürich.

    All are said to seek solutions for CO₂ delivery, transport and storage, including logistics, CO2 specifications and a roadmap toward a potential start of operations.

    10/15/2020