Longship; The Launch Approaches

Where does Longship stand today, and what could follow in its wake?

Technological Advancements and Cost Reductions

Longship contributes to technological progress in CCS. The project aims to identify opportunities for cost reductions through experiences gained during construction and operation. For example, insights from the Brevik CCS project have demonstrated how carbon capture can be optimized through energy efficiency improvements via heat integration. This may result in lower operating costs, which are crucial for making CCS commercially viable.

Northern Lights has developed transport and storage infrastructure with excess capacity, allowing for future scaling to meet growing demand.

Re-start at Klemetsrud

A key component of the Longship project is Hafslund Celsio’s carbon capture facility at Klemetsrud in Oslo. The facility is scheduled to be operational by the third quarter of 2029, and will capture 350,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. This will cut nearly 20 % of Oslo’s remaining fossil emissions, making it a crucial step toward the city’s climate goals.Hafslund Celsio has partnered with Aker Solutions and SLB Capturi Norway to bring the project to fruition. The captured CO₂ from Klemetsrud will be transported and permanently stored by Northern Lights beneath the North Sea seabed.

Developments on Multiple Fronts

Longship has sparked industrial activities, particularly in Øygarden, where Northern Lights has established an intermediate CO₂ storage facility. This facility serves as a platform for further development of carbon management technologies. Longship has become an international benchmark for CCS. Projects across Europe and beyond are looking to Longship for insights and lessons learned. This has helped build confidence in CCS as a viable emissions reduction technology. By demonstrating the full value chain, Longship provides industry and policymakers worldwide with a concrete example of how CO₂ management can be realized.

The project has also played a role in shaping policy frameworks for CO₂ management. Industry stakeholders have contributed data and insights to inform new European regulations. Through recently established bilateral agreements with several European countries, Longship has laid the foundation for a future European CCS market.

Longship as a Catalyst

Longship has the potential to become a cornerstone in the global effort to manage emissions. As demand for storage capacity grows, the project could help accelerate the implementation of CCS worldwide. This will be crucial for achieving climate targets in Norway, Europe, and beyond.The project has also spurred innovation in business models related to low-emission products. For example, cement from Heidelberg Materials’ plant could be marketed as a low-emission product, once the CO₂ capture process begins in Brevik.

The Road Ahead

Despite its successes, Longship has faced challenges such as delays and cost overruns.
Key takeaway is that business models need to be strengthened, and additional incentives must be introduced to encourage investments in CO₂ management.Longship represents a step toward innovation, international technological collaboration, and industrial development. These will be essential in achieving sustainable solutions and economic transformation in the future.