Neptune Energy to Join Dutch Hydrogen Venture

Explorer Neptune Energy has been formally selected to participate in a pioneering pilot project to create the first offshore hydrogen plant in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, it said July 4.

The pilot was commissioned by NexStep, the Dutch Association for Decommissioning and Re-Use, and TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for applied scientific research in close collaboration with the industry.  

A 1-MW electrolyser will be placed within a sea container and installed on Neptune’s Q13a platform, near the Dutch coast, 13 km from Scheveningen. The platform is well suited for the ground-breaking project; as the first fully electrified offshore oil platform in the Dutch North Sea, it saves about 16,500 metric tons of CO2/yr, said Neptune.

The hydrogen produced by the electrolyser on the Q13a platform (pictured above) will be transported via an existing pipeline to a second platform, operated by Taqa. There it will be used to generate electricity for powering the platform.

Neptune said: “This pilot demonstrates the valuable role gas has to play in the integration of various energy systems, and underlines our commitment to adopting innovative technologies and supporting a sustainable future for our business. The North Sea, where both wind and natural gas are abundantly available, is the perfect testing ground and we are proud that our Q13a platform has been selected. The platform was the first in the Netherlands to be fully electrified, making it an excellent fit for this important pilot.” 

The pilot – due to begin production later in 2020 – will provide the participants with the opportunity to develop their experience of producing hydrogen in an offshore environment, and will create a testing ground for innovative technologies and integrated systems.