First Major Carbon Capture Project in The Netherlands

Supported by HydraWell’s innovative technology

Norway-based well integrity specialist company HydraWell has applied its cutting-edge technology in the first commercial Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) campaign on the Dutch continental shelf.

HydraWell’s pioneering PWC® system, designed for specialist wellbore applications, provided a ground-breaking solution to complete a significant part of the key environmental undertaking - marking an important milestone for the future of CO2 storage in the Netherlands.

The revolutionary campaign saw HydraWell’s ingenious HydraHemera™ patented Perf, Wash & Cement (PWC®), originally developed to replace traditional Plug & Abandonment (P&A) and downhole tooling techniques, enter new territory thanks to the successful completion of the project in June 2022.

The £450m Porthos (Port of Rotterdam, CO2 Transport Hub and Offshore Storage), CCS Project, is a joint venture between the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Gasunie, and Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN). The project forms part of the Netherland’s fundamental goal to reduce emissions.

The Netherlands has clear climate objectives: the emission of greenhouse gases must be reduced by at least 55% in 2030 compared with 1990. By 2050, the Netherlands must be climate neutral. The Dutch Climate Agreement underlines the importance of CCS for the energy transition. Around 14% of CO2 emissions in the Netherlands takes place in the Rotterdam port area, making the region’s contribution to the national climate objectives extremely important.

Carbon Capture and Storage is currently the fastest way to substantially reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere for relatively low costs.

With the support of various cross-sector organisations, the Porthos plan involves the transportation and storage of CO2 from industry in the Port of Rotterdam. The CO2 will be transported through an offshore pipeline to a platform in the North Sea, approximately 20 km off the coast. From this platform, the CO2 will be pumped in an empty gas field. The empty gas fields are situated in a sealed reservoir of porous sandstone, more than 3 km beneath the North Sea. Porthos will store around 37 metric tonnes CO2, approximately 2.5 Mton CO2 per year for 15 years.

HydraWell’s scope of work involved harnessing its PWC® technology to place a rock-to-rock barrier above the reservoir to prevent Hydrocarbon migration into the sea. The innovative solution was deployed with flawless execution and in a single run.

Erlend Engelsgjerd, Sales Manager, HydraWell, says, “This was the first time we had deployed our PWC® technology to complete a CSS project and we are delighted to havebeen able to showcase the flexibility of our operations.

“By deploying our proprietary PWC® technology, we delivered less operational risk, increased efficiency with optimum results.

“The campaign was delivered in less than 36 hours, which compared to conventional methods, would have taken up to 7 or 8 days.

“This project has demonstrated that our technology can be implemented across a range of cross-sector industries and represents an important advancement in our diversification plans."

HydraWell’s popular HydraHemera™ portfolio for wellbore specialist applications has played a pivotal role in realising the company’s ongoing drive to re-think existing well integrity operations.

This nimble and flexible method is much in demand across a range of applications from permanent P&A and slot recovery to restoring annulus integrity and casing shoe repair.

The latest application in the Netherlands is a further clear indication of its adaptability in rising to new challenges.

“We have discussed carbon capture with only a small handful of clients in the last couple of years so to have supported the Netherland’s first commercial CCS project is a significant milestone for HydraWell,” adds Erlend.

Combined with a sustainable and cost-effective approach, HydraHemera™ was an ideal fit for the Netherlands project.

Mark Sørheim, HydraWell Chief Executive Officer, comments: “As pioneers and problem solvers, we are proactively participating in delivering advanced solutions for future energy needs.

“Our experienced team is committed to developing technologies to transform energy industry operations around the world.

“The successful completion of our latest scope of work in the Netherlands is an important acknowledgement not only of the trust placed in us by clients in the developing carbon capture sector, but also in our team’s ability to step up and seize the opportunity to diversify into fresh and exciting contemporary marketplaces.

“As a company, we remain fully committed to ESG best practices and look forward to continuing to leverage our technology to reach our goal of netzero emissions.

“Our experience in Norway, along with our strong track record in P&A operations underpinned by a well sustainability strategy and a deeper sense of responsibility, will ensure we continue to offer smart, superior and sustainable options which exceed expectations.”