The Viking carbon capture and storage (CCS) project sees BP acquire a 40% stake. The project is expected to be operational by 2027, according to an announcement by British energy company Harbour Energy on April 11.
The Viking CCS Project: A Net Zero “SuperPlace” in the Humber Region
The project, located in the North Sea near the Humber region, is expected to meet one-third of the UK’s CCS targets by 2030. The CCS project involves transporting CO2 through a newly constructed pipeline to offshore storage sites, using the decommissioned Lincoln offshore gas gathering system.
The project aims to create a net-zero “SuperPlace” in the Humber region, combining green power generation and CCS infrastructure. It has access to a planned CO2 shipping terminal in Immingham, developed in partnership with Associated British Ports.
The Viking CCS project was recognized by the UK government as one of the top two candidates in the Transportation and Storage Systems (T&S) category of its CCS Track cluster sequencing process 2. The government aims to establish two T&S systems located in the UK, following the HyNet and East Coast Cluster proposals, which are part of the Track 1 cluster. A final investment decision on the Viking CCS project is expected in 2024, subject to the outcome of the Track 2 process.
A competitive alternative to alkaline electrolysis hydrogen
Harbour Energy retains a 60% stake in the project, which has the potential to unlock around £7 billion ($8.7 billion) of investment across the CO2 capture, transport and storage value chain over the next decade and could provide up to £4 billion in gross value added to the Humber region.
“Viking CCS has the potential to unlock billions of pounds of investment across the CCS value chain and is crucial for the UK to meet its emissions reduction targets,” said Harbour CEO Linda Cook.
BP’s senior vice president for Europe and UK country manager, Louise Kingham, says the Viking CCS project could help create thousands of local jobs and enable supply chains that support the growth of CCS in the UK.
Platts priced blue hydrogen (ATR with CCS, including capex, Netherlands) at EUR 3.35/kg (USD 3.65/kg) on April 6, while alkaline electrolysis hydrogen (including capex, Netherlands) was priced at EUR 6.45/kg.
