Transocean Rig to Drill Injection Wells for Norway’s Northern Lights Carbon Capture and Storage Project

A semi-submersible drilling rig belonging to Transocean has been selected to drill the carbon injection well and another sidetrack well for the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage project, the offshore drilling contractor announced Tuesday.

The Northern Lights project is being developed by the Northern Lights Carbon Capture Storage Project, a joint venture created by Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies. The project sets out to mitigate emissions and remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by creating the first cross-border, open-source carbon dioxide transport and storage infrastructure network in Europe.

Northern Lights is the transport and storage component of the Norwegian government’s Longship project, which includes the capture of CO2 from industrial sources in the Oslo region of Norway. Once captured at the sites, the liquid CO2 will be shipped to an onshore terminal on Norway’s west coast, then transported by pipeline to a subsea reservoir below the North Sea for permanent storage.

Transocean’s announcement today said its semi-submersible, Transocean Enabler, will drill one carbon injection well and a sidetrack for another carbon injection well drilled early 2020. The work will be conducted as part of a continuation of the rig’s current drilling contract with Equinor, which extends until 2024.

“We are proud to participate in this important carbon capture and storage project in support of the EU’s energy policy and climate objectives,” said Janelle Daniel, Transocean’s Vice President of Human Resources, Sustainability and Communications. “Beyond our core business of drilling ultra-deepwater and harsh environment wells, this is an excellent example of how we can further leverage our rigs and core competencies in support of renewable and alternative energy projects in offshore markets across the globe.”

Phase 1 of the Northern Lights project includes the capacity to transport, inject and store up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year. During Phase 1, CO2 will be captured onshore at one or two industrial sites, then transported by ships for injection and permanent storage some 2,500 meters below the seabed in the North Sea.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up