If results continue to show promise as hitherto, Denmark has potential to become a European hub for carbon storage.

Such are the hopeful words from the project partners, which are currently exploring options for large-scale transport and storage of CO₂ in the depleted oil and gas field Harald in the North Sea.

Half of the study phase is now completed, and the first part of the investigation has shown that the conditions in the depleted reservoirs in the Harald field are quite suitable for carbon storage.

Furthermore, the preliminary studies show that the clay strata above the sandstone reservoir can serve as a barrier to contain the CO₂, and that previously drilled wells are leak-tight and thus capable of ensuring that the carbon dioxide doesn’t leak into the atmosphere. 

Operator TotalEnergies confirms as much in a Danish press release.

”These early studies of carbon capture using both sandstone reservoirs and limestone reservoirs are particularly promising, showing that we are on the right path with Project Bifrost,” says Morten W. Jeppesen, Director of Danish Offshore Technology Centre under the Technical University of Denmark (DTU):

”Given that most of the future empty oil and gas fields in Denmark are limestone-based, this could be the first opening towards storing CO₂ in other parts of the North Sea – and a potential gamechanger.”

On top of the storage component, TotalEnergies is also looking into various options for transporting CO₂ safely to the Harald field. Existing pipeline infrastructure has proved to be stable and safe for the purpose, though the company is also examining the use of a floating unit for temporary storage and preparation of the CO₂ prior to injection.

The study phase spans two years, during which a number of programs will map and examine the conditions for carbon capture and storage in Denmark.

Bifrost is a collaboration between the Danish Underground Consortium, Nordsøfonden, Noreco and TotalEnergies, with Ørsted and DTU also being part of the project.

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