Classification company DNV has certified the feasibility for CO2 storage of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (ADNOC’s) West Aquifer site in the UAE, marking a significant step in the region’s efforts toward carbon capture and storage (CCS). This certification supports the decarbonization of the Ruwais industrial site.
The issuance of the Certificate of Feasibility for the West Aquifer project covers the initial subsurface assessments of the Simsima and UER saline reservoirs. The project, guided by DNV-SE-0473, which is based on the ISO 27914 standard, is an important first step in verifying long-term CO2 storage feasibility.
“Certifying the West Aquifer CO2 storage site is an important milestone, not just for ADNOC but for the region’s commitment to addressing climate challenges,” said Santiago Blanco, executive vice president at DNV. “This project serves as a tangible step toward meeting the UAE’s Net Zero goals and highlights the vital role that CCS will play in shaping a sustainable energy future.”
According to DNV’s 2024 Energy Transition Outlook, the global energy transition is accelerating, with significant investments in CCS technologies expected to play a crucial role in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. The report highlights that CCS is essential for achieving net-zero targets, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.
“The certification of ADNOC’s West Aquifer site by DNV builds on our track record of successful deployment of carbon capture across Abu Dhabi and our global leadership in this critical decarbonization solution,” said Hanan Balalaa, ADNOC’s senior vice president for new energies. “We will continue to work with our partners and customers to develop and scale up this technology as we aim to expand our carbon capture capacity to 10 million tonnes per annum by 2030.”