The Norwegian government has established the state enterprise Gassnova to manage governmental interests related to carbon capture and storage (CCS). One of Gassnova’s main responsibilities is to be in charge of the construction and operation of the planned CCS solution at Mongstad.
The TQP contracts awarded by Statoil as project manager for the plant at Mongstad, is an important milestone in the development of a viable carbon capture technology.
Aker Solutions has delivered one of the two test plants at Technology Centre Mongstad, the world’s largest and most advanced facility for testing and development of carbon capture technologies. In addition we have a smaller mobile test unit at our disposal.
"The contract allows for testing with both the mobile unit as well as the larger stationary test plant at Mongstad", says Knut Sanden, Vice President for carbon capture technologies in Aker Solutions. "To be able to run both facilities in the test period is one of several advantages for Aker Solutions," he says. "In addition the tests will be performed with the actual flue gas from the Mongstad gas power plant where the full scale plant is planned for. This further removes uncertainty", Knut Sanden says. "And of course, this is an opportunity to further develop our technology", he adds.
For Technology Centre Mongstad Aker Solutions has delivered an amine plant where flue gas is released in an absorption tower where amine fluids capture the CO2. The plant was completed mechanically in June 2011 and was followed by commissioning and start-up activities. All in accordance with schedule, and functioning as planned.
Aker Solutions has developed and applied CO2 technology solutions since the beginning of the 1990s. The company Aker Clean Carbon was established in 2007 to commercialize carbon capture technology, developed by a group of Aker Solutions’ in-house expert engineers. In March 2012, Aker Solutions took full ownership of the company.
"This contract is of course important in itself, but maybe even more important in a broader perspective," Head of Front-End & Technology in Aker Solutions, Henning Østvig says. "This shows our technology to be among the most mature and competitive for carbon capture from fossil fuel power plants and other industrial CO2 emitters. In the long range the potential in this market is huge", Henning Østvig says.
Testing with both the mobile and the stationary plants are expected to start this summer or early fall. Tests will be monitored and verified through third party verification. Final report from the technology qualification programme is due May 1st 2013 and the project shall be completed by July 1st 2013.
Contract value is undisclosed.