Ambitious goals

Longship is the result of a long-standing political ambition supported by a broad consensus across party lines. The aim has been to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and pave the way for cost-effective, full-scale CCS in Norway.

A key prerequisite for Longship is that the project contributes to technological development and the wider deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) internationally.

CO₂ Storage Since 1996

In 1996, Statoil (now Equinor) began storing CO₂ deep beneath the seabed in the Utsira Formation in the North Sea. The project, known as Sleipner, was initiated following the introduction of a carbon tax on Norway’s oil and gas sector in 1991.

Since this first successful large-scale CO₂ storage project, the Norwegian government, industry and academia have continued to advance carbon capture and storage (CCS). These efforts have been supported by government funding through research programmes, co-funding with industry and direct financial support for individual projects.

Norway’s long-standing political commitment to CCS is driven in part by the favourable geological conditions on the Norwegian continental shelf, which make it particularly well suited for CO₂ storage. The country has substantial offshore CO₂ storage potential.

Technology Development

The CLIMIT research, development and demonstration programme has supported the development of CCS technologies since 2005. The programme has contributed to technological advances that have helped make Longship possible.

In 2012, the world’s largest CO₂ capture test centre, Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM), opened. Numerous technology providers have tested and improved their technologies at the facility, including the supplier selected by the CO₂ capture operators in Longship.

Benefits Realisation

To achieve the Norwegian government’s objectives for Longship, a dedicated work programme has been established, involving all project partners.

In the short term, Norway’s objective for Longship is to demonstrate that CCS is a viable climate mitigation measure. This means showing the world that CCS is technically feasible, that industry can be encouraged to invest in the technology, and that projects can be implemented within existing regulatory frameworks. Longship also aims to demonstrate that CCS can be carried out safely through the monitoring of CO₂ injection wells and measures to prevent emissions from capture facilities.

While Longship requires government funding, cost reductions and the development of viable business models will be essential for the wider deployment of CCS. The project therefore aims to reduce costs of future CCS projects by sharing knowledge, experience and lessons learned.

Northern Lights, in particular, will serve as a platform for wider deployment of CCS. With spare capacity in Phase 1 and plans for expansion, Northern Lights had, as of January 2024, signed agreements with two CO₂ capture operators in addition to those involved in Longship. The company was also in discussions with several other potential customers interested in storing their CO₂ at its storage facility.