ORLEN-backed Atlas CO₂ storage project in Norway wins €223m EU Innovation Fund grant
- EU Innovation Fund granted €223 million to Atlas for CO₂ transport and storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
- Atlas is designed for 6 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, with potential expansion to at least 10 Mtpa subject to market demand.
- Aker BP holds the EXL011 storage license (80%) and is operator; ORLEN Upstream Norway holds 20%; Höegh Evi manages transport logistics.
- Project targets a final investment decision in 2028 and first injection in 2031, using direct vessel-to-seabed injection into a saline aquifer >2,000 m deep.
Funding and partners
The European Union Innovation Fund awarded EUR 223 million to Atlas, a joint initiative of ORLEN Upstream Norway, Aker BP and Höegh Evi, to support development of a CO₂ transport and storage network on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
Project licence and responsibilities
The Atlas project is based on the EXL011 CO₂ storage license, owned by Aker BP (80%) and ORLEN Upstream Norway (20%), with Aker BP as operator. ORLEN and Aker BP will be responsible for storage integrity and for installing subsea infrastructure to inject CO₂ into the target formation.
Technical approach
CO₂ will be transported in liquid form by dedicated carriers operated by Höegh Evi and delivered directly from vessels for injection into a saline aquifer more than 2,000 metres below the seabed. Direct vessel-to-seabed injection removes the need for offshore receiving and injection platforms, reducing capital and operating costs.
Capacity and schedule
Atlas is designed for 6 million tonnes of CO₂ per year with potential to expand to at least 10 Mtpa depending on demand. The partners aim for a final investment decision in 2028 and first injection in 2031.
Source: ORLEN