The Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities has awarded the first licences for the exploration and for carbon storage in the Danish section of the North Sea.
The Danish Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities has awarded a total of three licences – two licences to TotalEnergies and one licence to a consortium consisting of INEOS and Wintershall DEA. Jointly the licences cover an area of approximately 2,800 km2 in the Danish section of the North Sea, and the work programmes includes, among other things, an exploration well and a seismic survey. Nordsøfonden is participating in all licences on behalf of the Danish state, with a total share of 20 per cent.
“We are delighted with the prospect of being a partner in the new licences for carbon storage. As the Danish state subsurface resource company, our purpose is to generate value for Danish society by exploiting the potential of our underground assets – from both economic and environmental perspectives. Storing carbon dioxide underground has the potential to reduce the volume of CO2 released into the atmosphere, thus helping Denmark to achieve its climate goals,” relates Birgitta Jacobsen, CEO of Nordsøfonden.
The Danish Energy Agency officially launched the first round of tenders in August 2022 and received two applications. The agency will shortly be opening additional rounds of tenders for onshore and nearshore sites, in which Nordsøfonden will likewise be participating, representing the interests of the Danish state once more.
“Nordsøfonden is looking forward to play a role in creating a new business area for Danish society and to assist in developing and reinforcing Denmark’s position in the field of carbon storage. With its estimated storage capacity and central location, Denmark has the potential to become a European hub for carbon storage,” explains Birgitta Jacobsen.
Press release from Danish Energy Agency
Press release from the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities