DNV certifies first CO2 storage site in the Middle East for ADNOC carbon capture and storage project

DNV has certified the feasibility of ADNOC’s West Aquifer CO2 storage site in the UAE, marking a significant milestone in the Middle East’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) efforts. This certification supports ADNOC’s ambition to reach net zero by 2045 and the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategy, highlighting the region’s commitment to climate action and sustainable energy solutions.

DNV has certified the feasibility for CO2 storage of ADNOC’s West Aquifer site in the UAE, marking a significant step in the region’s efforts toward carbon capture and storage (CCS). This certification supports the decarbonization of the Ruwais industrial site and forms a key part of ADNOC’s broader CCS ambitions, which align with the UAE’s strategy to reach Net Zero by 2050.

The issuance of the Certificate of Feasibility for the West Aquifer project covers the initial subsurface assessments of the Simsima and UER saline reservoirs. The project, guided by DNV-SE-0473, which is based on the ISO 27914 standard, is a vital first step in verifying long-term CO2 storage feasibility.

Santiago Blanco, DNV
Santiago Blanco, Executive Vice President
& Regional Director Southern Europe, Middle East,
Latin America and Africa, Energy Systems at DNV

Santiago Blanco, Executive Vice President & Regional Director Southern Europe, Middle East, Latin America and Africa, Energy Systems at DNV, commented: “Certifying the West Aquifer CO2 storage site is an important milestone, not just for ADNOC but for the region’s commitment to addressing climate challenges. This project serves as a tangible step toward meeting the UAE’s Net Zero goals and highlights the vital role that CCS will play in shaping a sustainable energy future.”

According to DNV’s 2024 Energy Transition Outlook, the global energy transition is accelerating, with significant investments in CCS technologies expected to play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The report highlights that CCS is essential for achieving net-zero targets, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.

Hanan Balalaa, ADNOC Senior Vice President for New Energies, said: “The certification of ADNOC’s West Aquifer site by DNV builds on our track record of successful deployment of carbon capture across Abu Dhabi and our global leadership in this critical decarbonization solution. We will continue to work with our partners and customers to develop and scale up this technology as we aim to expand our carbon capture capacity to 10 million tonnes per annum by 2030.”

This certification underscores the importance of independent verification in ensuring that industry best practices are followed. DNV’s expertise in rigorous assessment processes, including due diligence across all technical aspects, helps to ensure that the site is equipped for safe and effective CO2 storage.

The West Aquifer project is part of ADNOC’s broader CCS efforts, which aim to reduce industrial CO2 emissions. The success of this project demonstrates the region’s ability to adopt advanced solutions for climate mitigation and sets an example for future initiatives across the Middle East.

Download images

Visit our Statistics and Insights Portal  

Our Statistics and Insights Portal provides statistics, forecasts and insights across our latest publications on the energy sector.

Explore our independent forecast of the world's energy system

About DNV
DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry standards, and inspires and invents solutions.

Whether assessing a new ship design, qualifying technology for a floating wind farm, analyzing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company's supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to manage technological and regulatory complexity with confidence. 

Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps its customers seize opportunities and tackle the risks arising from global transformations. DNV is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.

In the energy industry
DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services.  As the world's leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system.