According to the plans of the Federation of Universities and Energy Companies, the old reduced oil and gas wells will be converted into carbon dioxide (CO2) “graveyards” testing sites next year. “Defender”.
Finishing wells help capture and store CO2 and monitor gas emissions. Test wells can also be used to assess how hydrogen can be stored underground.
According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and official UK advisers, CO2 capture and storage will play a significant role in tackling the climate crisis. This is the fastest and cheapest way to explore and develop safer and more efficient systems for storing this gas, according to the consortium quoted by The Guardian.
In Newcastle, the “Net Zero Rise” project, which includes the universities of Oxford and Durham and the fossil fuel companies IGas and Third Energy, has identified 20 candidate wells, mainly in Yorkshire and the Midlands. A test site will store relatively small amounts of CO2 (thousands of tons) at depths of 1 to 3 km (km). It is estimated that 50 million tonnes will be captured and stored by 2035.
The cost of reusing one well and two observation wells and equipment is around 5 5 million (8 5.8 million).
“CO2 storage in the North Sea is very important, but we need a maritime capacity, a national asset, so we can do tests to see what monitoring is enough to see where the CO2 went,” said Professor Richard Davis. University of Newcastle leading the project. “If we do not do this soon, we will lose the opportunity to use this infrastructure,” he added.
There are already test sites in the US, Canada and Australia, but the UK facilities would be better off as they have a geographical structure similar to the North Sea, the official said.
Henry Blackwell is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. His work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism.