What recent discussions his Department has had with (a) Norwegian authorities and (b) other international partners on the UK’s access to the Northern Lights carbon capture and storage project; and what recent discussions his Department has had with the London Protocol on the non-pipeline transport of carbon dioxide for offshore storage.
The Government regularly engages with European nations, including Norway, and with international partners on developments in the carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) industry, but has not specifically discussed access to the Northern Lights project. The UK has one of the largest potential CO2 storage capacities in Europe. We have an opportunity to offer CO2 storage services to neighbouring countries, providing new growth opportunities and supporting regional decarbonisation. The UK has applied a 2009 Amendment to the London Protocol allowing us to enter into bilateral agreements or arrangements with third countries for cross-border transport of CO2 for permanent geological storage.