Acorn CO2 storage site receives carbon capture storage licence

Pale Blue Dot Energy, energy sector management consultancy, has received a formal notification from the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) stating that it is the first recipient of a carbon dioxide (CO₂) appraisal and storage licence since the OGA was established as an independent regulator and the licensing authority for offshore CO₂ storage in the UK.

This award follows on from the Acorn CO₂ storage site lease option issued by Crown Estate Scotland last week, and provides Pale Blue Dot with an ‘Initial Term’ CO₂ storage licence for a four year period. These documents together allow the project to undertake the detailed characterisation work required for a full Lease and storage permit to permanently store CO₂ in the Acorn CO₂ Storage Site.

Alan James, Managing Director of Pale Blue Dot Energy said, “Securing the CO₂ storage licence is a really important step to help us develop one of the UK’s first CO₂ transportation and storage networks. Through Acorn CCS, Scotland can use legacy oil and gas assets to deliver environmental benefits, unlocking CO₂ transportation and storage solutions for other CCUS projects along the east-coast of the UK.”

Alan also welcomed the endorsement of UK Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry, who said, “This project shows our modern industrial strategy in action as companies, backed by government, seize the economic opportunities of moving to a greener, cleaner economy. Industry has a crucial part to play in meeting our world-leading ambition to develop and deploy this cutting-edge technology to reduce emissions so it’s great to see more key players joining the race to build the UK’s first facility.”