Announcement of areas related to CO2 storage

— Capture and storage of CO2 is an area where Norway has a unique opportunity to really make a difference on the way to a global low-emission society. Norway have unique experience and expertise from the Sleipner- and Snøhvit-fields and not least the test center at Mongstad. We are building on this through the Longship project. With today's announcement, we are facilitating more Norwegian projects for CO2 management, says Minister of Petroleum and Energy Tina Bru.

Several players in the industry have approached the ministry with a desire to be allocated two specific areas they consider interesting for CO2 storage. One is in the North Sea, the other in the Barents Sea. The Ministry is making this announcement on the basis of this interest.

— It is nice to see that the industry is now investing and showing interest in CO2 storage. This shows there is potential for a new and important industry on the Norwegian continental shelf, says Bru.

As described in the White Paper Putting Energy to Work, which was presented before the summer, exploration and utilization permits are announced and allocated after individual announcements and needs. The process is initiated by players that want a permit in accordance with the CO2 Storage Regulations. They can apply when they believe there is a sufficiently good basis for an application.

The application deadline is set for 9 December 2021 at 12:00.

Full announcement text, updated map and coordinates of announced areas, HSE, environmental and fisheries conditions and further information are available on the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate's website.

Background:

Activities aimed at exploration and exploration for subsea reservoirs for CO2 storage, as well as utilization, transport and storage of CO2 in such reservoirs on the Norwegian continental shelf are regulated the CO2 Storage Regulations from 2014. The regulations deal with the utilization of subsea reservoirs on the continental shelf for storage of CO2 and on the transport of CO2 on the continental shelf.

Anyone who wants to engange in this activity needs a permit in accordance with the storage regulations. In addition, on 20 February 2020, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway laid down regulations on safety and the working environment for the transport and storage of CO2 on the continental shelf.

The White Paper Putting Energy to Work provides a description of the strategy for further development of CO2 storage on the Norwegian shelf. The Ministry will facilitate economically profitable CO 2storage on the Norwegian shelf. The allocation of acreage is an important part of this.

Companies that have the necessary expertise and that have developed industrially good and profitable projects can be allocated areas in accordance with the storage regulations. The state will conduct a predictable, efficient and flexible process to give industrial players access to current storage options. Areas relevant for allocation will be announced to ensure a level playing field. Upon allocation, conditions will be set for the implementation of a specific work program adapted to the specific area. Through such an allocation policy, the state will facilitate so that industrial actors can establish new activity in Norway that includes storage of CO2.