05.05.2022
TCM should continue to play a role for the CCS industry
– We see TCM continuing to play a critical role as a world leading authority in testing CO2 capture technologies. TCM is and will continue to be uniquely positioned to enable the commercialization of advanced and cheaper CO2 capture technology solutions, thanks to its state-of-the art facilities, and the deep expertise and passion of its people.
This says Nina Thowsen, Asset Manager in Shell Norway, and member of the Company Meeting (the Board) of Technology Centre Mongstad DA (TCM). Shell has been one of the owners of TCM since the first Participants Agreement was entered into in 2009. Through Gassnova, the Norwegian state has a 73.9% ownership interest. The industrial partners, Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, all have an 8.7% stake in TCM.
The objectives have been successfully worked and obtained
The Participants Agreement describes the following objectives for TCM:
- Reduce cost and risk related to deployment of CCS
- Facilitate wide international deployment of CCS technologies
- Contribute to development of technology vendors and subsequent competition
- Contribute to wide knowledge sharing where relevant for CCS
- Support the Participants to become informed buyers and users of CO2 capture technologies
– When looking back at 10 years of operations at TCM, our assessment is that these objectives have been successfully worked and obtained. TCM has become a renowned facility and brand, through neutral facilitation of technology development. It’s been a great journey and as the momentum for CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) grows stronger, we hope to see TCM further strengthen its position.
Nina Thowsen represents Shell in the Board of TCM. - TCM is and will continue to be uniquely positioned to enable the commercialization of advanced and cheaper CO2 capture technology solutions, she says.
TCM has completed Shell’s global CCS strategy
When asking in what way the collaboration on the owner’s side has enriched Shell’s understanding of and development of CCS technology, Nina Thowsen says it has complemented the company’s global CCS strategy in two ways. – Both by supporting our efforts to drive CCS towards commercial viability through governmental and industry collaboration, and by acquiring relevant know-how and accelerating capture technology development with the lowest net cost to facilitate potential future CCS and CO2 EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) projects.
– As such Shell has been both a partner and a customer to TCM, Thowsen continues. – The Quest CCS facility in Alberta, Canada – operated by Shell and being one of the world’s largest CCS facilities in commercial scale – uses carbon capture technology from a group of technologies tested at Technology Centre Mongstad. Several Shell employees have also been seconded into TCM, to both contribute with expertise and to learn.
TCM has contributed to important progress
Nina Thowsen emphasizes that TCM since start up in 2012 has contributed to important progress in the CCS space by delivering technology testing and qualification, and advisory services to a wide range of customers globally.
– Furthermore, TCM has played a central role in developing the technology further and reducing the cost of carbon capture – which dominates the value chain costs for post-combustion capture, and which represents a significant hurdle to the commerciality of CCS for industry.
Thanks to the Norwegian state and the industrial partners
Shell recognises the leadership shown by the Norwegian government to prioritise CCS development and deployment.
– We believe the progress of CCS development and deployment would have been far less if the state had not taken the major role that it has done. We also appreciate the cooperation we’ve had with Gassnova and our industry partners Equinor and TotalEnergies in TCM, says Nina Thowsen.
