The report shows that in a ‘Very High’ CCS scenario source ‘clusters’ or ‘hubs’ could be responsible for 80% of stored CO2 in 2030. Cross-border transport could become increasingly important beyond 2020 in scenarios with high CCS growth and/or where storage is restricted (for example, in onshore sinks). Cross border transport volumes could contribute up to 25% of overall CO2 flows in 2030.
The recommendations suggest a further cooperation between the North Sea countries, research institutions and industry in the region:
- Co-ordinate
and lead the precommercial deployment of CCS in the period to 2020 and
beyond.
- Increase confidence in the location, volumes and reliability of sink
capacity in and around the North Sea, and facilitate access to safe
storage, for example through developing frameworks for managing cross-border CO2 flows.
- Recognise shared interests, speak with one voice and act consistently,
where possible, to promote the development of CCS.
It is important for ZERO that the results from the report are used actively in a collaborative infrastructure where the industry is specifically involved, for instance as proposed in the report, as a cooperation between two countries.
The report shows, depending upon certain factors, that the North Sea is a very suitable area for storage and good infrastructure. This provides hope for the development of the CCS chain in the region. This is something the respective authorities can not sweep away, here lies such great opportunities, and the challenge to the North Sea countries is clear: this must be developed further and adopted in practice.
