Oil and gas SECTORS SERVICES INSIGHTS ABOUT US Sign in Sign in to Veracity NEWS ASSET RISK MANAGEMENT DNV supports world first large-scale testing of submerged CO2 pipelines Published: 30 November 2021 Author: Bente Helen Leinum Contact: Neil James Slater Bente Helen Leinum CONTACT US: DNV provides technical advisory and large-scale testing for repurposing subsea pipes for CO2 transport in the southern North Sea SHARE: Prajeev Rasiah, Executive Vice President for Energy Systems, Northern Europe at DNV OSLO, Norway, 30 November 2021: DNV, the independent energy expert and assurance provider, is working with Wintershall Noordzee (Wintershall) and the OTH Regensburg University of Applied Sciences to explore how existing natural gas pipelines in the southern North Sea can be used for future carbon dioxide (CO2) transport. The work scope entails large-scale CO2 pipeline testing of running fracture in submerged (water) condition, which is a world first for the energy industry, and a comparison with similar testing of the pipe in open air. The aim of the tests is to quantify the potential beneficial effect of the water surrounding the pipeline on the crack arrest behavior for a specific pipeline, and thus better define the model parameters used for different backfill types. Further, preliminary simulation results using numerical models suggest that running fracture in pipelines transporting dense phase CO2 may be easier arrested in submerged conditions vs in air. The project initiated by Wintershall will also aim at experimentally validating this theory. Klaus Langemann, Senior Vice President of Carbon Management and Hydrogen at Wintershall said: "We are optimistic about the further investigations. Our calculations already show that existing offshore pipelines could be well suited for transporting liquid CO2. The next step will be to demonstrate the reliability of the evaluation process and prove the feasibility experimentally.” The large-scale testing of the CO2 pipelines will take place at DNV’s Testing and Research Facility at Spadeadam in the UK. Wintershall will provide the design of the fracture arrest test and test-set up, with guidance from OTH and DNV followed by interpretation of the results. There are currently plans for two large-scale tests to be carried out in different environments: in air and submerged in water (>5 m depth) and option for testing the pipeline buried in soil. The project will provide validation of the effect of having the pipeline submerged in water with respect to the capability to arrest a running ductile fracture. Beyond that, the project is expected to provide very valuable input to validation of numerical models for running ductile fracture. Prajeev Rasiah, Executive Vice President for Energy Systems, Northern Europe at DNV said: “The need to transport CO2 is expected to increase significantly in the years to come as part of the widespread view that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a viable means to reduce CO2 emissions. The opportunity, in this instance of repurposing existing subsea pipelines, is a good example of this. Driven by net zero ambitions, we are seeing globally the drive from industry and governments to proceed with CCS, and all major routes to successfully decarbonize gas rely on the large-scale uptake of the technology. The ongoing testing, which is looking to ensure that the existing subsea infrastructure can be used safely in the future, is a vital step.” “There are over 4,800 kilometers of pipelines in the southern North Sea, of which approximately 1,200 kilometers are operated by Wintershall Noordzee (a 50:50 joint venture between Wintershall Dea AG and Gazprom EP International B.V), and multiple depleted reservoirs which can be repurposed for CO2 storage. Wintershall’s research comes at a critical time for the industry, as companies, especially in harder to abate sectors, are increasingly aiming to decarbonize their operations. The initiative taken by Wintershall could be an important part of the puzzle to provide more cost-efficient solutions for re-use of pipelines for offshore dense phase CO2 transport for eventual storage in depleted reservoirs. DNV is pleased to be part of this initiative by supporting this work, that has a special focus on large scale testing and running ductile fracture, by leveraging our first-hand experience from several projects related to CO2 and pipeline transport.” DNV’s 2021 Energy Transition Outlook forecasts that although fossil fuels are gradually losing position, they still retain a 50% share of the energy mix in 2050. With support from CCS, integrated hydrocarbon and renewable energy technologies offer significant potential to help achieve climate goals and secure a rapid energy transition. Globally, governments and the sector are consulting on business models for CCS across industry, power generation, hydrogen production, and on the re-use of oil and gas assets for CCS. According to The International Energy Agency, CCS is the single most important technology available in the battle to reduce CO2 emissions from power and industrial sources. Analysis from DNV’s Pathways to net zero report shows that 21% of the energy mix is derived from fossil fuels in 2050 and CCS is a must to remove the final 20% of emissions. Industries with unavoidable process emissions will soon be dependent on underground offshore storage sites for the capture and safe storage of their CO2 emissions. - Ends- For technical enquiries please contact: Bente Leinum, Senior Principal Engineer, Energy Systems Tel: +4741907649 E-mail: bente.leinum@dnv.com For media enquiries please contact: Neil Slater, Head of Media Relations, Energy Systems Tel: +44 (0) 7876 578 353 E-mail: neil.slater@dnv.com Alan Gorham, Account Director, BIG Partnership Tel: +44 (0) 7483 288 807 E-mail: alan.gorham@bigpartnership.co.ukm About DNV DNV is the independent expert in risk management and assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions. Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analyzing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies. In the energy industry DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services. As the world's leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system. Learn more at www.dnv.com About Wintershall Dea Wintershall Dea is Europe’s leading independent natural gas and oil company with more than 120 years of experience as an operator and project partner along the entire E&P value chain. The company with German roots and headquarters in Kassel and Hamburg explores for and produces gas and oil in 13 countries worldwide in an efficient and responsible manner. With activities in Europe, Russia, Latin America and the MENA region (Middle East & North Africa), Wintershall Dea has a global upstream portfolio and, with its participation in natural gas transport, is also active in the midstream business. More in our Annual Report. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT US About us News and events Careers Annual reports CONTACT: Contact DNV Office Locator Media contacts Veracity.com Privacy Statement Terms of Use Copyright © DNV AS 2021 Cookie information TO THE TOP The trademarks DNV GL®, DNV®, the Horizon Graphic and Det Norske Veritas® are the properties of companies in the Det Norske Veritas group. All rights reserved. WHEN TRUST MATTERS