Spirit Energy achieves major milestone for carbon capture MNZ Project
Barrow Terminal
Spirit Energy has reached a major milestone for its Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) project with the successful securing of a seismic survey vessel to undertake a scope of work in the East Irish Sea as the company continues its journey to net zero.
This reaffirms Spirit Energy's commitment towards a low carbon future for its operations as it continues to work towards transitioning its existing operations and strengthens its position as an energy transition business.
The survey will acquire and process around 500 square kilometres of high-resolution 3D seismic data over the Morecambe Bay gas fields to provide the detailed definition of the potential carbon storage sites. The survey fulfils a requirement on the recently awarded carbon storage licence, and the data acquired will support all subsequent models and mapping for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiatives.
Barrow Terminal
Spirit Energy has contracted Shearwater GeoServices Holding AS to enable the progress of the MNZ project. The survey will acquire a much higher resolution dataset than seen previously to enable detailed characterisation of the subsurface and, in conjunction with other existing data, provide confirmation of the significant potential for CO2 storage identified in the Morecambe Bay gas fields.
Spirit Energy’s Energy Transition Director and MNZ project lead, Matt Browell-Hook, commented: "This achievement marks a pivotal point in our MNZ journey. We are progressing very well against our carbon storage licence commitments and utilising advanced technical approaches to further expand our 40 year operational knowledge of our East Irish Sea assets is another crucial step towards our goal of at scale, commercial carbon storage by 2030.”
MNZ has the potential to be one of the largest carbon stores in the UK and Europe, offering industrial emitters a world-leading decarbonisation solution. As well as contributing to the UK’s Net Zero goals, MNZ offers a vast, multi-billion-pound regeneration opportunity for the North West of England through securing the future of hundreds of existing jobs and livelihoods, and creating even more new green jobs, it will deliver a significant economic boost to Barrow-in-Furness.
About Spirit Energy
We are a pioneering energy transition company with two shareholders: Centrica plc (69%), and Stadtwerke München GmbH SWM (31%). We operate in the UK and the Netherlands, with a 700-strong team, and 25 producing field interests.
Spirit Energy Energy Transition Director and MNZ project lead, Matt Browell-Hook
Our portfolio and ambitions span the breadth of the energy transition. We’re continuing to break new ground, collaborating, and thinking differently. Our strategy is focused on: safely delivering production from our existing assets; meeting and de-risking our decommissioning obligations and pursuing strategic energy transition opportunities from our existing assets.
We’re proud of our heritage. With more than 30 years of production, we’re maximising the potential of our existing assets and substantial gas reserves in the UK and Netherlands. Above all, we live by our commitment to safety in everything we do. Our portfolio is predominantly gas (96%), providing vital, primary energy to fuel our homes and businesses in the UK and Europe.
MNZ will accept CO₂ by pipeline, ship and rail, and secure the future of thousands of jobs in carbon-intensive industries across the UK. MNZ’s strategic position in the North West of England means that emitters from the industrial heartlands in the most remote corners of the UK will be able to access a low-cost storage solution that can assist in achieving their Net Zero goals. The scale of its storage potential has already attracted the attention of major emitters, such as the Peak Cluster consortium of four leading cement and lime manufacturers and an energy from waste plant, who have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) recognising that MNZ offers them a permanent, safe, and secure net zero carbon storage solution. This partnership guarantees a genuine emissions reduction of 4 million tonnes of industrial CO₂ from today's UK total.
With decades of experience operating the Morecambe Bay gas fields and backed by two of the world’s largest energy companies, Spirit Energy has the expertise and proven track record to make the MNZ store a success. Our teams know how best to maximise the remaining gas supply so we can continue to contribute meaningfully to UK energy security while also delivering innovative energy transition opportunities on the path to net zero.
Issued on behalf of Spirit Energy by ThinkPR.
