A new industry roadmap has been released profiling more than 60 existing and emerging solutions to support the safe and sustainable development of carbon storage wells in the UK’s North Sea.
The CCS Wells Technology Roadmap report, developed by the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) in partnership with DNV and commissioned by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), highlights innovations in four focus areas: materials and equipment, intervention and workovers, monitoring, and remediation of legacy oil and gas wells.
The resource is designed to guide UK operators in progressing 27 licensed carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage sites, with the aim of supporting the nation’s 2050 net zero target by enabling secure, long-term geological storage.
While the offshore oil and gas sector offers strong technical foundations for carbon storage well development, challenges remain.
These include accelerated corrosion, pressure cycling, and extreme temperature variation.
Long-term CO₂ storage also demands extended monitoring — sometimes exceeding 30 years post-closure, depending on regulatory requirements.
Highlighted technologies in the report include Noble’s new modular handling package for safe CO₂ processing during well control events, due to undergo prototype testing in 2026, Aquaterra Energy’s solution for vertically re-entering legacy wells, Silixa’s fibre-optic sensors for continuous well integrity and CO₂ plume tracking, and Welltec’s ‘Annular Barrier’ to prevent CO₂ leakage through the annulus.
The report was shaped through targeted workshops and one-on-one consultations with operators and supply chain partners, identifying gaps and priority areas for future research, innovation, and regulatory refinement.
Catherine Sherwin, Technology Manager at NZTC, said: “Successful carbon storage is critical to the future of the CCS industry – and that starts with wells that are safe, reliable and built to last.
“The UK’s strong track record in oil and gas well operations provides a solid foundation, but CO₂ storage presents unique technical challenges that demand adaptation and innovation.
Sherwin said the report highlights that collaboration and technology innovation are central to addressing technical challenges and ensuring the reliability and integrity of carbon storage projects across the North Sea and beyond.
She added that continued industry knowledge-sharing and cooperation remain essential to advancing carbon capture and storage at the required scale and pace.
Keith Hogg, wells manager at the NSTA, said: “Developing a robust carbon storage well infrastructure is critical to unlocking the full potential of the UK’s CO₂ storage capacity.
“This roadmap provides industry with a clear view of the technologies needed to deliver safe, efficient, and long-term storage – supporting our transition to net zero and enabling progress across the licensed storage sites.”
Zilvinas Petrauskas, senior engineer at DNV, said: “DNV believes that CCS is at a turning point, with a number of upcoming projects growing significantly and with operational capacity increasing substantially in the near future.
“We hope this report on CCS wells will help in de-risking and improving projects in the United Kingdom and beyond in a safe and reliable way, along with meeting net zero targets and making the UK the leader in CCS.”
The publication follows NZTC’s Emissions Measurement and Monitoring Technology Roadmap, also commissioned by the NSTA, which examines tools for tracking emissions from power generation, flaring and venting.
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