Høytrykk COt testsenter

252502, “Preliminary project for technology qualification of subsea bulk separation of CO₂” has assessed equipment for testing CO₂ separation under high pressures. Preliminary assessments have looked at conducting these tests at K-lab at Kårstø. It emerges here that such a qualification race will require large investments in the test lab and that one should therefore consider synergies with other needs to test equipment and technologies that are relevant for high pressures in the CCS / CO₂ EOR value chain so that an investment in testing equipment can cover several purposes.

Project description summary
To reduce the risk in offshore CO₂ value chains, hydrogen processes, and other processes and systems within CCS, various technologies must be tested on a relevant industrial scale before they can be used commercially. Today, there are no test facilities that can be used at the high pressures and flow rates needed in future full-scale CCS.

Over the past few years, Aker Solutions has developed a concept for subsea technology for CO₂-EOR.

In order to establish an offshore CO₂ EOR value chain, there is a need to qualify various technology elements within high-pressure treatment of CO₂ and associated gases. This applies, for example, to new technologies for CO₂ separation that can enable less extensive rebuilding of existing topside structures and seabed solutions.

Aker Solutions has previously conducted a study that specifically defines the need for a test location to be able to qualify and test relevant technologies in industrial size before they are installed in the relevant environment and are to be offered commercially.

SINTEF Energi has through its work in e.g. NCCS FME and CEMCAP (H2020 project) also identified a great need for testing at high pressure and large currents of e.g. fiscal flow meters for CO₂ and hydrogen processes. It is also clear that many other technologies associated with future, low-carbon solutions need a laboratory for testing on an industrial scale.

The potential of the project
It is not known that there is such a test center or location today, neither in Norway nor elsewhere in the world. Such a center will give research institutions, universities, supplier industry and operators the opportunity to test technology on an industrial scale before it is to be used, thus reducing the risk of technical deficiencies, checking out HSE aspects and providing a basis for safer full-scale constructions.
Such a test center will also be able to attract international players, as well as help Norway to be at the forefront of new low-carbon technology.

Project goals (concrete and measurable)
The project’s main objective is to clarify the basis for establishing a test center where new low-carbon technologies and technologies relevant to the high-pressure components of the CCS and CO₂ EOR value chain can be tested.

Specified sub-goals:
Develop a first design basis for such a center.
• Assess the most appropriate location for the center.
• Evaluate a financing solution and business model for the center.