Invitation to participate in proposal for H2020 call LC-SC3-NZE-6-2020 on geological CO2 storage pilots

SKANDICCS near-coast storage development for industrial-scale CCS

Hanstholm lighthouse Photo: Shutterstock

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OBJECTIVE OF OUR PROJECT The aim of the SKANDICCS project is to advance the Hanstholm structure offshore to a higher maturity level for potential CO2 storage. The large structure, with its centre about 25 km from the coast of , has been identified as a potential CO2 storage site with capacity in the > 100 Mt range through the work of several previous projects (Geocapacity, DYNAMIS, CCS i Skagerrak/, NORDICCS, SiteChar). The present proposal aims to strengthen the existing geological model and thereby increasing the technical certainty for the use of the Hanstholm structure for CO2 storage by conducting work along three axes: 1) Geological and geophysical data collection and interpretation 2) Business model for a full-chain CCS project 3) Stakeholder engagement and dissemination The location of the Hanstholm structure in the Skagerrak region. Also shown are existing oil and gas exploration wells. The work will pave the way for a subsequent decision regarding establishment of a storage site, and for to map facies distribution and flow properties in the developing this part of Skagerrak into a CO2 storage storage reservoir. Therefore, the project aims to collect hub, delivering much needed large-scale CO2 storage capacity for Denmark and for the European zero- new seismic data over the offshore structure. emission goal. While no exploration wells have been drilled into the Hanstholm structure itself, nearby wells have been The site extensively logged and some also provide core The Hanstholm structure is a large offshore domal 2 materials. The core material coverage is poorer for the closure covering 600 km . The nearest closing contour caprock. However, cuttings are available and is about 15 km off the coast. The structure is believed adequately preserved. Existing data and core material to have significant storage capacity in good quality will be reviewed in a first pass to create an improved Gassum Formation reservoir sandstones overlaid by geological description of the potential storage site. ~500 m of tight claystones. It is a four-way-dip closure Novel analysis techniques will be employed for that could offer several down-flank injection points for preserved cuttings samples. effective exploitation of the storage capacity. The reservoir lies at depths from 850 to 1350 m below msl., The project aims to significantly upgrade the existing well suited for CO2 storage. data set by drilling and coring a new well into the onshore extension of the storage formation. Data will The Gassum Formation is regionally well known and is be collected both for the reservoir and cap rock encountered in many exploration wells drilled in sections, and the well will be used for characterisation Denmark. of injectivity. A scientific exploration well drilled at an onshore location close to the Hanstholm structure will PROPOSED PROJECT CONTENT encounter the same sequence of caprock and reservoir Data collection and interpretation formations and will be a good analogue for the Existing seismic data from the region will be re- properties at the offshore storage site. interpreted as far as possible. However, the density of The new data will be used to update a geological existing seismic lines is too low to adequately map description and model for the Hanstholm structure and possible faults in the cap rock and overburden. In its caprock, and for construction of new and better addition, digital copies of the raw seismic data for constrained simulation models for dynamic modelling. many of the existing data sets are either missing or of This will reduce the uncertainty on storage safety and too low quality for state-of-the-art reprocessing aiming of the storage capacity of the structure.

(DR news 17 January 2020). The establishment of a CO2 transport and storage infrastructure will have implications for the local communities and for the regional business and industrial sector. The project will actively engage in dialogue with local stakeholders to study their risk perceptions. The project will conduct interviews and a public survey in the region to analyse who fears what and why and how social acceptability may emerge. The dissemination strategy of the project will include both traditional scientific publication channels as well as a project web page and an active presence on social media and in the local community. This includes public meetings and policy briefs to convey the outcome of Simulation results after injection of CO into the Hanstholm 2 the project to the public and to policymakers. structure using seven injection wells. The CO2 plumes show varying saturation from high (red) to low (blue). Depth contour lines for the structure is shown as thin blue lines. PROJECT PHASES Skagerak business model The project is a four year project consisting of two Previous projects like NORDICCS and the preceding phases separated by a decision gateway. The first Skagerrak CO2 project (both projects with participation phase will include collection of new seismic data and and lead by GEUS and SINTEF) mapped the potential re-analysis of existing data to provide the basis for the for capturing CO2 from industrial sources in the drilling of a new well in the second phase. This will Skagerrak and Baltic Sea region. The region, including reduce the economic risks associated with committing Sweden, Denmark and the Oslo fjord and Skagerrak the significant resources needed for the well. coast in , as well at the Baltic coasts from The estimated required budget for the project is Finland to Germany, harbours a large number of CO2 EUR 11 to 12 million, with up to EUR 10 million sources of various kinds. In the Skagerrak region alone, available through H2020 EU-funding. encompassing Jutland, the above-mentioned part of Norway and the West coast of Sweden, the amount of CO2 available exceeds 10 million tonnes/year. The THE PROJECT CONSORTIUM Baltic region has even larger amounts of CO2 possibly Current research partners are SINTEF, GEUS, Aarhus available. University, Uppsala University and the University of Greifswald with expertise within both natural sciences CO may be transported by ships or pipelines from 2 (geosciences and marine biology) and social sciences. sources near or farther away to the suggested The partners have extensive experience with CO Hanstholm storage site. The previous projects also 2 storage research and CO storage pilots. The project studied transport solutions. Elaboration of transport 2 aims to build a strong consortium with both research solutions in dialogue with possible end users (CO 2 partners, industrial partners and NGOs. The project emitters) and local businesses will be an important would therefore like to extend an invitation to industry element in the project. The project will establish partners both among potential CO storage operators, contact with ongoing CCS demonstration projects to 2 gas transport companies and CO emitters. The ensure relevance for later development of a wider 2 industry participation could be through a seat in an network of storage sites and transport solutions in advisory board, through (cash or in-kind) contribution North-Western Europe. to the project work or through in-kind support with Techno-economic analyses of the CO2 transport as well services related to collection of geological and as the storage hub will be used to establish cost- geophysical data. efficient solutions and reduce risk. The project aims to develop collaboration with ongoing Stakeholder engagement and dissemination CCS demonstration projects such as Northern Lights CCS has recently been promoted as one of the and Porthos and with other CO2 storage pilots. The necessary technologies that can enable Denmark to project also aims to invite relevant regulatory bodies reach its CO2 emission reduction targets and environmental authorities to the advisory board.

CALL DETAILS This proposal answers to the H2020 call LC-SC3-NZE-6-2020: Geological Storage Pilots. This call is a single-stage call for Research and Innovation action-type projects. The expected opening date is 5 May 2020 and deadline 1 September 2020 at 17:00 Brussels time.