Horisont Energi and Knutsen Group enter CO2 transport agreement for Polaris project

Horisont Energi is developing the Barents Blue project, the world’s first full-scale carbon neutral ammonia production plant.

Horisont Energi and Knutsen Group enter CO2 transport agreement for Polaris project
Photo: Horisont Energi

Horisont Energi and Knutsen Group have signed a contract to complete the design for transport of pressurized liquefied CO2 for direct offloading offshore, a key part of Horisont Energi’s Polaris carbon storage project off the coast of Northern Norway.

Horisont Energi is developing the Barents Blue project, the world’s first full-scale carbon neutral ammonia production plant. The facility will convert clean hydrogen into ammonia, an easily transported hydrogen carrier, which can be converted back to hydrogen at the destination or used directly in many applications. The plant will be located in Finnmark in Northern Norway.

Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen, CEO of Horisont Energi, said:

“Carbon sequestration in the offshore carbon storage facility we have named “Polaris” is a key part of the Barents Blue project, and I am extremely pleased that the Knutsen Group brings its extensive experience onboard, joining other energy industry heavyweights supporting our project. This contract will bring Horisont Energi into a position to enter into firm agreements for CO2 transport in 2022.” 

The contract is based on the Knutsen pressurized containment system, developed over the last 20 years, which also can handle liquified cargo such as CO2 pressurized at ambient temperature. The Knutsen Group, through Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers AS, is a world-leading offshore loading operator, and a major contributor to the planned solution.

Per Lothe, inventor and project responsible for the Knutsen PCO2 technology in the Knutsen Group, said:

“We believe the scalable pressurized solution for CO2 transport and direct offshore discharging is the correct approach for future CO2 transport and storage projects and we are very pleased to be part of the exciting and innovative Polaris project.”

The Polaris project is expected to have a total carbon storage capacity in excess of 100 million tons, which is equivalent to twice Norway’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. Currently at the end of the feasibility phase and soon entering into the concept phase, an investment decision for the facility is expected towards the end of 2022.