Safe
Capture and storage of CO₂:
Effective climate protection
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time. In Denmark, a broad political majority has pointed to carbon capture and storage – also known as CCS – as an important tool to achieve climate goals. CCS is a tool that, together with the green transition, will help to counteract climate change.
About Greenstore
Large storage capacity
The Greenstore licence is located at Gassum between Randers and Hobro. The storage capacity in the area is estimated to be around 250 million tonnes of CO₂. This amount corresponds to Denmark's total CO₂ emissions for the past 10 years.
Mio
ton CO₂ capacity
Thorough investigations
The National Geological Surveys of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) conducted a comprehensive mapping and thorough investigations in 2023 of the potential for CO2 storage in Denmark and identified a number of suitable areas, including the area near Gassum. The Greenstore project will continue the work of exploring the possibilities for storage in the area.
designated areas in Denmark
Optimal conditions in the subsoil
The geological conditions of the area have been found to be particularly suitable for the secure storage of CO₂. At depths of between 2,000 and 3,000 m, two different geological formations with porous sandstone can be found, which can contain CO₂. The porous sandstone layers are covered by a layer of up to 900 meters thick of shale and claystone. Together, these rocks form an impermeable cap that prevents the stored CO₂ from seeping to the surface.
m
deep storage
Time horizon
In June 2024, Harbour Energy, together with INEOS Energy and the North Sea Fund, was awarded a licence to explore the potential for CO₂ storage in the Gassum area. Over the next three to four years, the Greenstore partnership will investigate whether the underground here is suitable for CO₂ storage. If the investigations show that this can be done safely, and this is approved by the Danish Energy Agency, CO₂ could be stored from 2029.
first storage of CO₂
Strategic location
The underground in Denmark is particularly suitable for the storage of CO₂. Therefore, Denmark aims to become a European hub for CO₂ storage and thereby support its neighbouring countries in achieving their climate goals.
Pioneer in climate leadership
Timeline
The consortium consisting of Harbour Energy, INEOS Energy, and the North Sea Fund was awarded a licence in June 2024 to explore the potential for CO₂ storage in the Gassum area.
In accordance with the work programme approved by the Danish Energy Agency, the consortium will soon carry out an evaluation of existing 2D seismic data, new 3D seismic data will be collected, and there will be one exploration borehole and two delineation boreholes drilled.
The evaluations conducted and data collected will form the basis for assessing whether the area is suitable for safe CO₂ storage. If the exploration shows that this is possible, the consortium must apply to the authorities for approval for storage. Such approval is necessary for the project to proceed. If all goes as expected, CO₂ could be stored underground from 2029.
During the exploration phase, the consortium will focus on ensuring that the collection of seismic data and the drilling operations will cause the least possible disruption to local residents. Prior to the individual phases of the project, there will be an emphasis on informing the local residents so that everyone is aware of what is happening both above and below the ground.
About CO₂
CO₂ is a gas that occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere. CO₂ is defined as a so-called greenhouse gas that helps to retain heat in the atmosphere, and rising concentrations of CO₂ in the atmosphere are among the main causes of global warming and climate change.
Underground, CO₂ does not pose any threat. For example, oil and gas reservoirs beneath the sea, as well as saltwater-bearing layers on land, are suitable for underground storage of CO₂. These types of geological reservoirs consist of porous rocks that can contain the CO₂, while layers of impermeable rocks above them prevent the CO₂ from seeping upwards. The CO₂ is hardened in the pores of the layers and transforms over the years into limestone – the same material used for the facade of the Copenhagen Opera House.
Transport
Storage
About CCS
About us
The Greenstore consortium consists of companies with extensive expertise and experience in energy production, both onshore and offshore. Harbour Energy, which is the operator in Greenstore, can draw on decades of experience in onshore energy production, including exploration, development, and production, and also holds five offshore CCS licenses. INEOS Energy is an experienced operator throughout the value chain of offshore energy production and is also the leader of the Greensand consortium, which develops CO₂ storage in the Danish part of the North Sea. The North Sea Fund is the Danish state's underground company and participates, among other things, to ensure the project's benefit for Danish society.
The consortium collectively possesses deep knowledge of the subsurface, including geology and petrochemical seismology, modeling and monitoring, which can contribute to the evaluation and development of CO₂ storage.
FAQ
What is CCS?
Why do we need CCS?
How does CCS work?
Why is Denmark particularly focused on CCS?
Why does Denmark store CO₂ underground?
What are the benefits of storing on land?
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Kjetil Hjertvik
Spokesperson
Carbon Management & Hydrogen
Anne-Mette Cheese
CCS Country Manager Denmark
