Porthos is developing a groundbreaking innovative project in which CO2 from industry in the Port of Rotterdam will be transported and stored in depleted gas fields under the North Sea. It is a truly visionary collaboration between a range of stakeholders.
The CO2 transported and stored by Porthos will be captured by several companies. The companies supply their CO2 to a collecting pipeline of over 30 kilometres through the Rotterdam port area. The onshore pipeline route consists of so-called field stretches and is also full of so-called special crossings: pipeline strip crossings, road crossings, horizontal directional drilling and open front drilling . The CO2 is then pressurised at a compressor station, which is needed to transport the CO2 as a gas.
The CO2 goes by subsea pipeline to a platform in the North Sea, about 20 kilometres offshore. The platform located here will be converted for reuse by Porthos, to inject the CO2 into depleted gas fields. These gas fields are located in a sealed reservoir of porous sandy rock, three to four kilometres under the North Sea. Porthos will store about 37 Mtonnes of CO2, which is about 2.5 Mtonnes of CO2 per year for 15 years.
Porthos is a partnership between the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Gasunie and EBN. These state shareholdings play an important role in the Dutch energy landscape. They aim to contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands as well as play an active role in the energy transition. Each of the organisations brings its own experience and expertise: the Port of Rotterdam Authority will be focusing on the local situation and market, Gasunie can offer extensive experience with gas infrastructure and transport, and EBN will be sharing its expertise in the area of deeper soil layers and offshore infrastructure.