#Denmark #Copenhagen #Norne Thorning #CO2 Storage

Norne Thorning Storage Receives CO2 Exploration License

On April 11, 2025, the Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Utilities awarded Norne Thorning Storage ApS, a subsidiary of Fidelis New Energy, LLC, the license to explore the CO2 storage potential of the Thorning structure located in Jutland. This exploration license marks a significant milestone in Denmark's efforts to achieve its carbon reduction goals.

Norne will initiate a comprehensive exploration program to gather crucial data that will assess the suitability of the Thorning structure for safe and permanent CO2 storage. If the geological formation proves adequate for this purpose, it could facilitate the establishment of a CO2 storage facility before the year 2030.

Working in partnership with Nordsøfonden, the collective operator for this exploration license, Norne aims to undertake thorough evaluations to ensure that the site can collectively meet all environmental and safety regulations before any storage operations commence. Lars Bo Christiansen, President of Norne Climate Impact, emphasized the importance of a meticulous research plan stating, ‘The exploration work program is designed to yield a clear understanding of the geological structures and their ability to store CO2 safely and permanently.’ This will involve extensive seismic surveys and aerial assessments that minimize ecological disturbances.

The granting of the exploration license is the culmination of diligent efforts set forth by Norne, which has been backed by Fidelis New Energy since 2021 and recognized as an EU Project of Common Interest in 2023. By incorporating the Thorning structure into its operations, Norne is not only moving Denmark closer to its decarbonization goals but also providing hard-to-abate industries with a vital solution to mitigate their carbon footprint.

Norne's Co-Founder and President of Fidelis New Energy, Bengt Järlsjö, highlighted the organization’s commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders, including the Danish Energy Agency and local industries, to advance the CO2 storage potential within Danish territory. He stated, “This license award reaffirms Denmark's leadership in environmental sustainability, providing industries both locally and throughout Europe a pathway to meaningful carbon reduction.”

As part of its strategy, Norne envisions the establishment of a CO2 receiving terminal at the Port of Aalborg. This facility would facilitate the receipt of CO2 emissions from emitters across Denmark, the Baltic region, and broader Europe, showcasing Norne’s adaptability to meet the diverse demands of different industries.

Norne aims to construct a robust carbon storage hub comprising CO2 receiving applications and advanced storage type models. This facility is designed to cater specifically to both biogenic CO2 and emissions stemming from hard-to-abate sectors, including cement production.

Nordsøfonden operates as the Danish state's key entity managing subsurface resources, focusing on not only oil and gas production but also on underground carbon storage solutions. By leveraging its expertise, Nordsøfonden seeks to optimize the value of Denmark's subterranean resources while ensuring a significant reduction in atmospheric emissions.

Overall, this initiative serves as a beacon of innovation and cooperation, aiming to sow the seeds for sustainable development within the energy sector. The exploratory phase, involving advanced data acquisition and assessment, is poised to lay the groundwork for an environmentally responsible and economically viable CO2 storage facility, crucial for achieving global climate objectives.

For additional information regarding the Norne project and its related initiatives, visit Norne Climate Impact's website.