12.2-0036-UKNL-S-M-18 (Completed)

The scope of the CEF Action 12.2-0036-UKNL-S-M-18 addressed the requirements of the existing and proposed CO₂ transport infrastructure linked to the Acorn carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, including the transnational build-out programme.

The Action involves Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies of the CO₂ transport infrastructure for the Acorn CCS Phase 1 project and an internal inspection survey of the Goldeneye pipeline (a former natural gas pipeline between St Fergus gas terminal in the UK and the Acorn CO₂ storage license area in the North Sea). The Action also includes linked studies into the feasibility of CO₂ import/export at Peterhead Port and optioneering for a UK-Norway interconnector pipeline. The Action supports health, safety and environmental (HSE) aspects for this infrastructure. The Action has four main activities:

Activity 1 – Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies for the offshore pipeline system and its inspection

Activity 2 – Study on the CO₂ import/export facilities at North Sea Ports

Activity 3 – Health, Safety and Environment studies, to support the above activities

Activity 4 – Management of the Action

The Action has allowed the design of the Goldeneye pipeline, associated subsea elements of the cost base of the PCI, and the business model to progress further in definition and maturity towards a Final Investment Decision. This decision also depends on a similar level of definition and maturity being achieved for the CO₂ capture, geological storage and well drilling, which is why the Action was being managed as part of an integrated programme with funding from the UK CCUS Innovation Fund. The Action also enabled knowledge sharing between other European CO₂ transport projects. Subject to final close out with The European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) this action has been completed.

12.2-0020-UKBE-S-M-20 (Ongoing)

The Action is part of PCI 12.2 CO₂ Sapling. This PCI aims to establish a strategic transnational CO₂ transportation infrastructure capable of delivering over 12 Mt CO₂/year from emissions sources around the North Sea for permanent sequestration in offshore geological storage. PCI 12.2 is the transportation infrastructure component of the Acorn full chain Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project.

The main objective of the Action is to progress the CO₂ import/export facilities and infrastructure between the Port of Peterhead and the Acorn CCS hub at St Fergus in the UK. The scope is to undertake the necessary Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies. The Action will also enhance the maturity of the offshore build-out requirements to accommodate the additional CO₂ volumes from import and to allow the operator support and subsea activity for the inline pipeline survey. It also includes the Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), commercial, finance and stakeholder activities required to support the technical activities.

Once completed, the Action will result in a significant proportion of the technical studies finalised in view of reaching a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the CO₂ import/export facilities and infrastructure between the Port of Peterhead and St Fergus Gas Terminal.