CO2 offshore injection

A joint industry project to develop a common approach to assess and qualify concepts for offshore injection of CO2

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As the energy industry works towards a more sustainable energy future, the growing CCS industry has reached an inflection point with numerous projects across the world in various stages of planning. However, as there is no established infrastructure for pipeline transport of CO₂, many projects consider using concepts where ships are used as the mode of transport from collection to storage, and an injection using an offshore injection concept. This joint industry project (JIP) will be a collaborative effort dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by offshore injection of CO₂. Our mission is to establish a common approach to the assessment and qualification of CO₂ offshore injection concepts, which will ensure industry alignment and bring down costs.

Challenge

Concepts for injection have been applied for decades within the oil and gas industry but have not yet been deployed at scale within the CCUS industry. To do so, a common approach to assessing and qualifying concepts for offshore injection of CO₂ must be established.
There are different offshore injection concepts that could be explored as part of this joint industry project. Examples of these include:

• Direct injection (DI) – injection directly from an offshore-injection-equipped CO₂ carrier through onboard treatment system and connection to a turret loading (e.g. STL1) or anchor loading (e.g. SAL2) system for injection to the well.
  
• Intermediate storage injection facilities (ISIF) – CO₂ carriers using hose to transfer CO₂ to the storage unit. The ISIF can be floating (FSIU) or at the seabed.
  
  
  
• Offshore injection unit (OIU) – floating or fixed structure with necessary CO₂ conditioning and injection systems. The unit may be equipped with buffer storage to facilitate continuous injection.Continuous injection can also be achieved with units without storage by allowing connection to more than one ship. For such units, the offloading rate will be equal to the injection rate. The CO₂ carrier may supply the unit with power, and STL buoys allow connection to the FIU.

Approach

DNV welcomes input from the participants on the proposed battery limits, i.e. scope to include/exclude for the JIP.

Phase 1 - Qualification basis for CO₂ offshore injection concepts

Suggested work tasks:

• Identification and description of applicable CO₂ offshore injection concepts for the JIP to consider.
• Mapping of applicable regulations and standards that apply to offshore injection chain elements, including:
  • Transfer systems from CO₂ carrier ship to OIU or ISIF
  • On-board storage systems
  • On-board conditioning systems (P&T)
  • CO₂ stream composition metering and control
  • CO₂ injection systems, including control systems for injection operations
  • Risers and subsea injection systems including downhole equipment
  • Safety-critical elements and systems
• Mapping of interface issues between different regulatory regimes, including for ships, offshore structures, and CO₂ storage regulations.
• Development of qualification basis for projects at different stages of development, from concept to operations.
• Identification of knowledge gaps that should be addressed to enable effective qualification of related concepts, including need for physical testing.
• Develop a high-level generic risk register linked to operation and integration of components.
• Develop list of risk mitigation options, including preventive and remedial actions

Objective

The goal of the proposed JIP is to establish a common approach to assess and qualify concepts for offshore injection of CO₂, from early-stage concept definition through key projects stages, including FEED and reliable operations, and to evaluate knowledge gaps and areas of innovation for offshore injection concepts. This will help the CCS reduce risks and costs for development of concepts for CO₂ offshore injection.

Status

Initiation phase. Planned kick-off Q3 2024.