DNV, Equinor, and TotalEnergies have commenced the second phase of their joint industry project, CETO (CO₂ Efficiently Transported via Ocean) II. This initiative is designed to mitigate risks associated with low-pressure CO₂ shipping, with a particular emphasis on understanding CO₂ composition and impurities. The project receives support from GASSNOVA through the CLIMIT programme.

CETO II aims to produce experimental data crucial for establishing CO₂ product specifications for low-pressure maritime transport within carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chains. These specifications will subsequently inform system design, material selection, and operational protocols.

Maritime transport plays a vital role in CCS strategies, particularly in scenarios where capture sites and storage facilities cannot be interconnected by pipelines. The low-pressure shipping concept presents a scalable and flexible solution for transporting CO₂ over long distances.

This second phase builds upon the successful completion of CETO Phase I in July 2024, which validated the technical feasibility and early deployment readiness of low-pressure CO₂ shipping. However, the industry currently lacks dedicated CO₂ product specifications tailored for these conditions.

CETO II will leverage real experimental data to calibrate existing prediction models. The research will concentrate on chemical reactions and acid solubility limits, thereby enhancing the understanding of impurity behavior in CO₂ under shipping conditions.

Erik Mathias Sørhaug, Business Development Director for CO₂ Shipping at DNV, highlighted that the project will address significant industry knowledge gaps and contribute to the establishment of safe and reliable standards for large-scale CO₂ transport.

Ola Terjeson Miljeteig from Equinor commented that low-pressure ship transport represents a competitive solution for CCS, underscoring the critical need for well-defined product specifications for its successful implementation.

Renaud Maillard, Vice President of CO₂ Techno Hub at TotalEnergies, added that the project aligns with the company’s commitment to developing secure and efficient CO₂ transportation pathways.

The collaborating partners are also extending an invitation for new participants to join the joint industry project, with the aim of broadening its scope to encompass other aspects of CO₂ carrier design and operation.

DNV, Equinor and TotalEnergies launch CETO II to advance low-pressure CO₂ shipping