The study marks the first step in Project Greenstore’s efforts to assess whether the sandstone layers beneath the 500 km² area could eventually serve as one of Denmark’s first CO2 storage sites – contributing to the fight against climate change and benefiting both Denmark and the local community.
But before a decision can be made, the companies behind Greenstore – Harbour Energy, INEOS Energy and the state’s partner in the project, Nordsøfonden – must map the area’s geological structures using an extensive seismic survey that will begin in October and last approximately three months.
“Many may remember when state geologists conducted a similar survey in the area a few years ago. Whereas their survey was like cutting through a layer cake and seeing the different layers, the new survey will give a much more accurate picture of how the geological layers and structures are laid out. The results will help us decide whether it is realistic to proceed with plans to establish a geological CO2 storage facility,” says Regitze Reeh, Head of Communications at Harbour Energy.
Keep an eye on e-Boks
In May, a letter from Ramboll will land in the e-Boks of the nearly 3,000 landowners who will be directly affected by the study. In the letter, the landowners will be asked for their consent to allow seismic surveys to be carried out in the area and in some cases inside their property. Obtaining consent is a legal requirement and a standard regulatory process when conducting seismic surveys.
“We hope that the affected landowners will respond to the letter as soon as possible so that we can start planning the survey in detail and with a focus on minimising inconvenience to citizens and landowners,” says Regitze Reeh.
In the coming period, employees from Ramboll will be present in the area to inform about the seismic survey, and Harbour Energy will hold meetings to inform about the survey.
Experienced partners
Greenstore has chosen the French company S3, Smart Seismic Solutions, Europe’s leading provider of advanced geological surveys, to carry out the data acquisition. S3 has recently completed a similar seismic survey at the CO2 storage project in the area around Rødby on Lolland with great success.
Ramboll is Harbour Energy’s advisor for the survey. Ramboll is Harbour Energy’s consultant for the survey and is responsible for obtaining all permits from authorities and landowners as well as the preliminary nature and environmental surveys. Ramboll’s specialists will be on hand to answer questions from the affected landowners and will be present in the area to guide and inform residents when the specialised vehicles pass by.
The survey is planned in close dialogue with local authorities and in accordance with applicable environmental and safety standards.
CO2 storage is a crucial tool to achieve CO2 reductions
CO2 storage is a technology that is already being used around the world as an effective way to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. If the Greenstore area proves suitable, it could be one of the first places in Denmark to actively contribute to this effort.
Permanent storage of CO2 plays an important role in Denmark reaching its ambitious climate goals, and a broad majority in the Danish Parliament supports the government’s decision to investigate the possibilities of establishing a number of CO2 storage facilities in Denmark both on land and at sea.
CO2 storage should not be seen as an alternative to renewable energy and other sustainable technologies, but as a supplement to industries that have difficulty reducing their emissions in other ways, such as waste incinerators and heavy industry such as cement production.
“It will be a big and important step for the climate and the green transition if our upcoming underground investigations show that we can establish a safe geological CO2 storage here in the area between Randers and Hobro,” says Regitze Reeh.
Press contact: Regitze Reeh, regitze.reeh@harbourenergy.com, tel. 30546608.
