NORWAY – Yara International, an ammonia producer, has finalized a binding commercial agreement with the Northern Lights CO2 transport and storage joint venture.

This agreement entails the annual liquefaction of 800,000 tonnes of emissions from process gas originating from the ammonia plant at Yara Sluiskil in the Netherlands.

The liquefied CO2 will be transported for permanent storage beneath the seabed of the Norwegian Continental Shelf, 2.6 km deep into the North Sea.

Yara indicates that these annual deliveries will equate to 0.5% of the Netherlands’ total emissions in 2022. Operations are scheduled to commence in 2025, spanning 15 years.

During this period, Yara aims to eliminate around 12 million tonnes of CO2 from production at the Sluiskil facility.

Subsequent to liquefaction, the CO2 will be transported to Øygarden for storage in onshore tanks before being conveyed via a subsea pipeline for injection into an offshore saline aquifer.

Svein Tore Holsether, Yara International’s chief executive, hailed this as “a milestone for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industry in Europe.”

He emphasized its significance in Yara’s endeavor to decarbonize its ammonia production, product lines, and the broader food value chain.

Yara perceives carbon capture and storage (CCS) as pivotal for large-scale, cost-effective decarbonization, especially in industries like ammonia and fertilizer production.

The Northern Lights deal is anticipated to pioneer major offshore CO2 storage endeavors, catalyzing the commercial market for CCS in Europe.

Beyond this initiative, Yara is exploring potential large-scale blue ammonia production projects with CCS in the US.

Holsether urged for increased state support to facilitate similar projects, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and government backing in driving the green transition.

Børre Jacobsen, the managing director of Northern Lights, highlighted Norway’s potential in providing substantial CO2 storage for Europe, emphasizing its role in helping the EU achieve its climate objectives.

Jacobsen underscored the safety and efficiency of this method in managing emissions, underscoring the significance of the agreement in demonstrating its viability.

CCS is key to decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries in Europe

CCS emerges as a cost-efficient decarbonization solution, seamlessly integrating with Europe’s existing production infrastructure, notably in ammonia and fertilizer manufacturing.

Embracing all available technologies is crucial in addressing the climate crisis. European industries anticipate the EU’s forthcoming CCUS strategy, slated for early release next year.

To fully leverage this decarbonization pathway, CCS initiatives necessitate a dedicated regulatory framework supporting CO2 transport and storage infrastructure.

CEO of Yara International, Holsether, emphasizes the indispensable role of robust partnerships and government support for achieving success in the green transition. “CCS is a critical component of the solution.

Together, we can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advancing our industries and curbing emissions further,” he states.

Norway holds the potential to offer substantial CO2 storage to Europe, pivotal in aiding the EU’s climate targets.

Børre Jacobsen, Managing Director of Northern Lights, highlights the safety and efficiency of this method in managing emissions. “This agreement is a testament to that fact,” he asserts.

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