Aquaterra Energy Secures Key Contracts for UK’s First Offshore CCS Project

Aquaterra Energy, a UK-based offshore energy engineering solutions provider, has announced its latest contracts with the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), comprising BP, Equinor, and TotalEnergies, for the development of the first offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in the UK.

The partnership will see Aquaterra Energy supporting NEP, the CO2 transportation and storage provider for the East Coast Cluster in the Teesside region. The project aims to serve three carbon capture projects initially and is scheduled to commence construction in mid-2025, with operations expected to start in 2028.

One of the key tasks assigned to Aquaterra Energy involves re-abandoning two legacy wells to ensure the long-term integrity of the site for safe CO2 storage. The company will utilize its innovative recoverable abandonment frame (RAF) for this purpose, offering a secure and efficient solution for legacy well re-entry and re-abandonment.

George Morrison, CEO of Aquaterra Energy, stated, “We are proud to be at the forefront of this pioneering initiative, providing the solutions needed for long-term offshore CO2 storage. This project has the potential to set a global benchmark, and we are excited to lead the way.”

Additionally, Aquaterra Energy will deliver seabed-to-surface well access services for the drilling of six new CO2 injection subsea wells, utilizing its high-pressure subsea drilling riser system designed for CCS compliance and operational efficiency.

Ben Cannell, Innovation Director at Aquaterra Energy, emphasized the importance of efficient drilling intervention and abandonment solutions for the growing carbon storage projects worldwide.

The NEP recently received the first-ever carbon storage permit in the UK from the North Sea Transition Authority, with plans to inject up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 annually. This milestone aligns with the UK government’s target to store 20-30 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2030.

As part of the project expansion, NEP awarded contracts to four UK-based companies, including Sonardyne, Noble Corporation, Aquaterra Energy, and Expro, to support the development of the East Coast Cluster’s CCS infrastructure.

Rich Denny, NEP’s Managing Director, expressed optimism about the progress made in offshore CCS infrastructure, stating, “These contract awards mark a significant step towards decarbonizing the East Coast industrial sector and achieving the UK’s net zero goals.”

The NEP’s infrastructure includes a CO2 gathering network, onshore compression facilities, offshore pipelines, and subsea injection systems for the Endurance saline aquifer, facilitating large-scale carbon storage below the seabed.