Challenge
A client engaged THREE60 Energy to screen subsurface structures beneath and around its existing UK North Sea infrastructure to identify potential opportunities for CO₂ storage development. Alongside establishing the technical and commercial feasibility of a future storage project, the programme was working towards a rapidly approaching licensing deadline, requiring a comprehensive assessment to be developed within a challenging timeframe.
The scope required an integrated understanding of subsurface storage potential, well requirements, containment risk, existing infrastructure, facilities, operations and project economics.
Solution
THREE60 established a multidisciplinary team bringing together expertise from subsurface, wells, facilities and operations to undertake an integrated feasibility assessment. More than 20 reservoirs were initially screened for CO₂ storage potential before being progressively evaluated and narrowed to four firm candidates, including opportunities associated with existing client infrastructure and nearby third-party acreage.
The team developed volumetric models incorporating key uncertainties and established preliminary requirements for injection and monitoring wells. An early-stage well containment risk assessment was also undertaken to identify and evaluate potential development risks. In parallel, facilities and operations specialists developed concepts for the required onshore and offshore infrastructure, including pipeline requirements, allowing an integrated development concept and associated cost model to be established.
Following completion of the initial feasibility phase, THREE60 progressed a more detailed assessment to refine the development designs and associated costs before supporting preparation of the client's licence application.
Result
THREE60 delivered an integrated technical and commercial evidence base that enabled the client to progress its preferred CO₂ storage opportunities from initial screening through detailed assessment and licensing. The subsequent licence application was successfully submitted to the UK Government, with the relevant licences awarded to the client.
The complete programme was delivered in less than one year and at a significantly lower cost than comparable publicly available projects, demonstrating the value of integrating subsurface, wells, facilities and operations expertise within a single delivery team.
