Carbon storage project reaches offshore milestone

A carbon capture and storage project has taken another step forward with the arrival of one of the world’s largest pipelay vessels in the Southern North Sea.

The Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) has welcomed Saipem’s 325-metre-long Castorone, which is beginning a major offshore installation campaign for the East Coast Cluster.

The vessel will lay a 136km pipeline connecting industrial sites on Teesside with NEP’s Endurance carbon storage site beneath the North Sea.

Once operational, the infrastructure will transport captured CO₂ emissions for permanent storage deep beneath the seabed.

Castorone will use almost 3000 tonnes of marine biofuel during the campaign, helping reduce emissions associated with construction of the network.

Alongside the pipeline installation, underwater technology specialist Sonardyne will deploy environmental monitoring landers at key seabed locations.

The autonomous devices will monitor conditions including currents and changes in water chemistry, providing data to help verify the safe storage of CO₂ before and throughout injection and future operations.

Rich Denny, managing director at NEP, said: “Just a few months ago, we welcomed the arrival of our linepipe into the Port of Hartlepool.

“Today, seeing Castorone arrive in the Southern North Sea to begin laying that linepipe is a powerful reminder of the pace and scale of progress being made.

“This is more than an engineering milestone.

“It is a significant moment for the East Coast Cluster, for industrial decarbonisation and for the UK’s journey to net-zero.

“The infrastructure we are building has the potential to support jobs, attract investment to the region and help secure a cleaner future for generations to come.”

The latest work brings the East Coast Cluster closer to operation, with the wider project aiming to support industrial decarbonisation while helping establish a new low-carbon industry across Teesside and the Humber.

NEP says the development also has the potential to protect existing employment, create new opportunities and attract further investment into the regions.

Rich added: “As we progress this exciting phase of the project, we remain committed to delivering it responsibly.

“The deployment of advanced environmental monitoring equipment and the use of nearly 3000 tonnes of marine biofuel during the campaign demonstrate our commitment to sustainability and setting a standard for how CCS projects can be delivered in an environmentally responsible way.”

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