Dutch regulator clears Shell, TotalEnergies for CO2 storage project
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) announced on June 27 that it would allow competitors Shell and TotalEnergies to work together in storing CO2 in empty natural gas fields off the country's coast.
ACM said such cooperation between competitors was necessary for getting the initiative off the ground and realise climate benefits.
As part of the Aramis project, the two companies are working with the Dutch government, Gasunie and Energie Beheer Nederland to build a high-capacity pipeline to deliver CO2 to the depleted gas fields. The partners plan to take a final investment decision on Aramis in 2023 and are targeting its commercial launch three years later.
It is one of two carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects taking shape in the Netherlands. The other one is Porthos.