Porthos in the making: New construction steps setting the stage for first Dutch large-scale North Sea carbon transport and storage project

With the infrastructure buildout phase underway, the groundwork is being laid down for the first large-scale Dutch carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, known as the Port of Rotterdam CO2 transport hub and offshore storage (Porthos) project, a joint venture between EBN, Gasunie and the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Upon completion, the brand-new infrastructure will enable the transport of CO2 in the port of Rotterdam to depleted gas fields in the North Sea.

Following the final investment decision (FID) in October 2023, Porthos began awarding assignments to the industry and the supply chain to realize the project. As a result, Allseas is in charge of constructing the subsea pipeline for the Porthos CO2 storage project while MAN Energy Solutions will deliver three integrally-geared compressor trains. In addition, KCI is engineering the modification of the TAQA-owned P18-A platform, which allows it to be involved in the Dutch CCS project.

The construction of Porthos, which is in full swing, is being seen as the start of a new CO2 infrastructure in Northwestern Europe since the CCS project is said to be the first of that size to be realized in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and the European Union. This project has been designed to transport CO2 captured from industry through the Port of Rotterdam to depleted gas fields in the North Sea, approximately 20 kilometers off the coast, where it will be permanently stored at a depth of more than 3 kilometers beneath the seabed.

Sophie Hermans, Minister of Climate and Green Growth, commented: “CCS is crucial to achieving the climate objectives. Porthos is taking a big step with the construction of the first large-scale transport and storage system for CO2 in the Netherlands. This allows the industry to reduce emissions and maintain a competitive industry here in the Netherlands. I am proud of all the parties that make this possible.”

The new infrastructure is expected to enable Porthos customers  – Shell, ExxonMobil, Air Liquide, and Air Products – to supply CO2 to an open-access pipeline that runs through the Rotterdam port area. The CO2 will be transported via an offshore pipeline to an existing platform in the North Sea where it will be pumped into depleted gas fields in an enclosed space of porous sandstone more than 3 kilometers below the seabed. The project is expected to enable the Rotterdam port industry to emit about 10% less CO2 and contribute to CO2 reductions of around 17% for the industry in 2030.

Jan Willem van Hoogstraten, CEO of EBN, highlighted: “As a public energy company, EBN strives for a sustainable and reliable energy system in 2050, at the lowest social costs. To accelerate the energy transition and achieve climate goals, EBN is a partner in CO2 transport and storage projects such as Porthos and Aramis and other CO2 storage initiatives under the North Sea. EBN has in-depth knowledge and expertise of the subsurface. With our unique position between market and government, we also fulfill a bridging function in public-private partnerships.”

Recognized by the EU as a project of common interest (PCI), Porthos has been awarded €102 million from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). According to the developer, the storage of CO2 can bridge the time the industry needs to switch from fossil raw materials to low-carbon or zero-carbon alternatives. The construction of the Porthos onshore open-access pipeline kicked off the development of a future CO2 network in Northwestern Europe.

Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, emphasized: “This project makes an important contribution to the goal of reducing CO2 emissions in the Rotterdam port area by 55% by 2030 and of being a CO2-neutral port by 2050. As a European energy port, we facilitate the development of CO2 infrastructure and connections with neighboring countries for CO2 reduction of European industry. This is the start of a CO2 infrastructure in the port that will enable future CO2 storage projects for CO2 reduction, as well as projects using CO2 as a raw material.”

Once Porthos is up and running, it is anticipated to transport 2.5 million tons annually with the pipeline on land suitable for 10 million tons, thus, CO2 can also be supplied to future projects such as TotalEnergies’ Aramis. The compressor station, which is also ready for expansion, is perceived to form the heart of the future CO2 hub to which CO2next can also be connected, thus, the terminal can receive and deliver liquid CO2 by ship to customers not connected to a pipeline.

The projects in Rotterdam are interpreted as the first CCS chain that can grow into an international CCS network with the Delta Rhine Corridor and other connections, thus, the development of Rotterdam as a CO2 hub contributes to the European CCS policy as laid down in the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy (ICMS) and the Net Zero Industries Act (NZIA). Together with technologies such as direct air capture (DAC) and bioenergy CO2 capture and storage (BECCS), the network could assist in achieving negative emissions in the future.

Willemien Terpstra, CEO of Gasunie, remarked: “Building infrastructure for transport and storage of CO2 is crucial for the CO2 reduction of our industry. We use our extensive expertise in gas infrastructure to develop a top-class CO2 transport system. Together with our partners, we are committed to creating a reliable, secure, accessible and affordable open access network. Gasunie is proud to be involved in major CO2 projects such as Porthos, Aramis, CO2next and the Delta Rhine Corridor and is also investigating the possibilities for a CO2 hub in the Northern Netherlands.”

While work is currently underway at various locations on the 30-kilometer-long onshore collection pipeline through the Rotterdam port area to bring the Porthos CCS project to life, the construction of the compressor station and the cooling water pump station on the Maasvlakte will start later this month. Three compressors will bring the CO2 to a maximum pressure of 130 bar, enabling it to be transported to the offshore platform. As the offshore pipeline construction and work on the platform slated to start in 2025, Porthos is expected to be put into operation in 2026.

Based on the current plans, the CCS project will store 2.5 million tons of CO2 annually in exhausted natural gas reservoirs under the North Sea, enabling 37 million tons of CO2 to be permanently stored over a 15-year timeline. This project focuses on the transport and storage of CO₂ in TAQA’s empty gas fields: P18-2, P18-4, and P18-6.