Denmark launches EU’s first full-scale CO2 storage site

The Greensand facility in Denmark has officially commenced operations, marking the first full-scale commercial carbon dioxide storage site in the European Union. Led by INEOS Energy in partnership with Harbour Energy and the Danish North Sea Fund, the project aims to decarbonize industry by storing CO2 in depleted offshore reservoirs.

The operational process involves sourcing CO2, primarily from Danish biomethane plants, liquefying it, and transporting it via truck to a dedicated terminal at Port Esbjerg. From there, the Carbon Destroyer 1, the EU’s first purpose-built CO2 carrier, ships the gas to the Nini West reservoir. The gas is injected approximately 1,800 metres beneath the seabed, roughly 250km offshore in the North Sea.

In its initial commercial phase, the site expects to store up to 400,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, with plans to scale capacity to between 4 and 8 million tonnes. INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe stated that the project proves industry can remain competitive while reducing emissions, rather than closing factories to achieve net zero goals.