DNV supports world first large-scale testing of submerged CO2 pipelines

DNV provides technical advisory and large-scale testing for repurposing subsea pipes for CO2 transport in the southern North Sea

OSLO, Norway, 30 November 2021: DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, is working with Wintershall Noordzee (Wintershall) and the OTH Regensburg University of Applied Sciences to explore how existing natural gas pipelines in the southern North Sea can be used for future carbon dioxide (CO₂) transport.

The work scope entails large-scale CO₂ pipeline testing of running fracture in submerged (water) condition, which is a world first for the energy industry, and a comparison with similar testing of the pipe in open air. The aim of the tests is to quantify the potential beneficial effect of the water surrounding the pipeline on the crack arrest behavior for a specific pipeline, and thus better define the model parameters used for different backfill types.

Further, preliminary simulation results using numerical models suggest that running fracture in pipelines transporting dense phase CO₂ may be easier arrested in submerged conditions vs in air. The project initiated by Wintershall Dea AG will also aim at experimentally validating this theory.

Klaus Langemann, Senior Vice President of Carbon Management and Hydrogen at Wintershall Dea AG said: "We are optimistic about the further investigations. Our calculations already show that existing offshore pipelines could be well suited for transporting liquid CO₂. The next step will be to demonstrate the reliability of the evaluation process and prove the feasibility experimentally.”

The large-scale testing of the CO₂ pipelines will take place at DNV’s Testing and Research Facility at Spadeadam in the UK. Wintershall Dea AG will provide the design of the fracture arrest test and test-set up, with guidance from OTH and DNV followed by interpretation of the results. There are currently plans for two large-scale tests to be carried out in different environments: in air and submerged in water (>5 m depth) and option for testing the pipeline buried in soil.

The project will provide validation of the effect of having the pipeline submerged in water with respect to the capability to arrest a running ductile fracture. Beyond that, the project is expected to provide very valuable input to validation of numerical models for running ductile fracture.

Prajeev Rasiah, Executive Vice President for Energy Systems, Northern Europe at DNV said: “The need to transport CO₂ is expected to increase significantly in the years to come as part of the widespread view that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a viable means to reduce CO₂ emissions. The opportunity, in this instance of repurposing existing subsea pipelines, is a good example of this. Driven by net zero ambitions, we are seeing globally the drive from industry and governments to proceed with CCS, and all major routes to successfully decarbonize gas rely on the large-scale uptake of the technology. The ongoing testing, which is looking to ensure that the existing subsea infrastructure can be used safely in the future, is a vital step.”

“There are over 4,800 kilometers of pipelines in the southern North Sea, of which approximately 1,200 kilometers are operated by Wintershall Noordzee (a 50:50 joint venture between Wintershall Dea AG and Gazprom EP International B.V), and multiple depleted reservoirs which can be repurposed for CO₂ storage. Wintershall Dea AG’s research comes at a critical time for the industry, as companies, especially in harder to abate sectors, are increasingly aiming to decarbonize their operations. The initiative taken by Wintershall Dea AG could be an important part of the puzzle to provide more cost-efficient solutions for re-use of pipelines for offshore dense phase CO₂ transport for eventual storage in depleted reservoirs.  DNV is pleased to be part of this initiative by supporting this work, that has a special focus on large scale testing and running ductile fracture, by leveraging our first-hand experience from several projects related to CO₂ and pipeline transport.”

DNV’s 2021 Energy Transition Outlook forecasts that although fossil fuels are gradually losing position, they still retain a 50% share of the energy mix in 2050. With support from CCS, integrated hydrocarbon and renewable energy technologies offer significant potential to help achieve climate goals and secure a rapid energy transition. Globally, governments and the sector are consulting on business models for CCS across industry, power generation, hydrogen production, and on the re-use of oil and gas assets for CCS.

According to The International Energy Agency, CCS is the single most important technology available in the battle to reduce CO₂ emissions from power and industrial sources. Analysis from DNV’s Pathways to net zero report shows that 21% of the energy mix is derived from fossil fuels in 2050 and CCS is a must to remove the final 20% of emissions.  Industries with unavoidable process emissions will soon be dependent on underground offshore storage sites for the capture and safe storage of their CO₂ emissions.

For technical enquiries please contact:
Bente Leinum, Senior Principal Engineer, Energy Systems
Tel: +4741907649
E-mail: bente.leinum@dnv.com

For media enquiries please contact:
Neil Slater, Head of Media Relations, Energy Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 7876 578 353
E-mail: neil.slater@dnv.com

About DNV
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About Wintershall Dea AG
Wintershall Dea AG is Europe’s leading independent natural gas and oil company with more than 120 years of experience as an operator and project partner along the entire E&P value chain. The company with German roots and headquarters in Kassel and Hamburg explores for and produces gas and oil in 13 countries worldwide in an efficient and responsible manner. With activities in Europe, Russia, Latin America and the MENA region (Middle East & North Africa), Wintershall Dea AG has a global upstream portfolio and, with its participation in natural gas transport, is also active in the midstream business. More in our Annual Report.