Porthos Launches First CO2 Storage Project in Rotterdam

Investment and Timeline

Porthos has committed €1.3 billion to develop the first major CO2 transport and storage system in the Netherlands. Construction is set to begin in Rotterdam in 2024, with the system expected to be operational by 2026. With the final investment decision made, Porthos will now award the necessary contracts to realize the project.

Project Partners and Scope

Porthos is a joint venture involving EBN, Gasunie, and the Port of Rotterdam Authority. The project will provide CO2 transport and storage services to companies in the port of Rotterdam, including Air Liquide, Air Products, ExxonMobil, and Shell. These companies will invest in their own CO2 capture installations to supply Porthos.

Storage Details

The CO2 will be transported through the port of Rotterdam to depleted gas fields in the North Sea, approximately 20 km off the coast. It will be permanently stored at a depth of 3 to 4 km under the seabed. Porthos plans to store about 2.5 Mton of CO2 per year for 15 years, totaling around 37 Mton. The onshore transport system under construction will also support future CO2 storage projects.

Collaborations and Funding

To realize the project, Porthos is partnering with TAQA Energy, the current operator of the P18 gas fields, and specialized contractors and suppliers such as Denys N.V., Allseas, LMR Drilling GmbH, Mannesmann Grossrohr GmbH, Corinth Pipeworks, Equans, Ensco Offshore, Van der Ven, and Bonatti. The European Union has recognized Porthos as a Project of Common Interest and awarded it a €102 million subsidy.