ORLEN's CO₂ storage project in Norway receives EU funding for innovative climate technologies
Atlas, a joint initiative of ORLEN Upstream Norway, Aker BP and Höegh Evi, has been awarded a EUR 223 million from the European Union Innovation Fund to support the development of CO₂ transport and storage network on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The project will offer storage capacity of 6 million tons of CO₂ per year, with first injection targeted for 2031.
“Underground carbon-dioxide storage offers a pathway for the continued operation of industrial sectors where reducing emissions remains technologically challenging. Instead of bearing the costs of emissions or reducing production, companies in these sectors will be able to capture CO₂ and store it in underground reservoirs such as Atlas. The European Commission’s decision to support this project confirms its innovative character, effectiveness in helping to reduce emissions, and cost efficiency. Through the collaboration between ORLEN, Aker BP and Höegh Evi, we can offer solutions that European industry has been waiting for. It is also a way to leverage the expertise and experience developed through upstream projects in other sectors of the economy,” said Wiesław Prugar, Vice President of the ORLEN Management Board for Upstream.
The Atlas project is based on the EXL011 CO₂ storage license, owned by Aker BP (80%) and ORLEN Upstream Norway (20%), with Aker BP serving as operator. ORLEN and Aker BP will be responsible for the integrity of the storage facility and installing the subsea infrastructure required to inject CO₂ into a saline aquifer located more than 2,000 meters below the seabed.
Höegh Evi will be responsible for transportation logistics. CO₂ will be delivered to the storage site in liquid form by dedicated carriers.
The project partners plan to inject CO₂ directly from transport vessels. This approach will eliminate the need to construct and operate offshore receiving and injection platforms, significantly reducing both capital expenditure and operating costs associated with the storage facility.
Aker BP and ORLEN Upstream Norway are targeting a final investment decision for Atlas in 2028, enabling first injection from 2031. Atlas has a design capacity of 6 million tons of CO₂ per year, with potential to expand to at least 10 million tons annually, subject to market demand. The partners intend to deploy modular infrastructure solutions that will facilitate efficient scaling of the project.
Atlas is among 77 projects selected by the European Commission to receive support from the Innovation Fund under its program for net-zero technologies. The total value of grants awarded under this funding round amounts to EUR 3.4 billion. A total of 358 projects applied for funding, requesting EUR 17.5 billion in support.
