The UK is making significant strides on the path to becoming a global leader in carbon capture and storage with the successful drilling of the UK’s first carbon storage appraisal well announced today.
Offshore Energies UK says this new well in the decommissioned Hewett gas field off Bacton on the coast of North Norfolk, will help to demonstrate the viability of UK carbon stores as a way of accelerating the path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The site operated by the global energy company Eni, is part of the North Sea Transition Authority’s first carbon storage licencing round.
It is a milestone that highlights the vital role of the UK’s oil and gas infrastructure, supply chains, and skilled workforce in delivering carbon capture and storage (CCS).
The industry is expected to support around 50,000 jobs nationwide in the long term with a wider carbon capture and storage project at Bacton acting as an important hub.
The Hewett field, which powered the UK with gas for decades, now has the potential to power our climate ambitions by becoming a large-scale carbon store capable of containing up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually, equivalent to the yearly greenhouse gas emissions of around a fifth of all UK industry.
The location of Hewett is particularly well placed to support the decarbonisation of industry in Southern England and also industrial greenhouse gas producers in continental Europe.
To accelerate this process, Offshore Energies UK is working hard to lift regulatory barriers that currently prevent cross border transport of carbon emissions, and is this week involved in a round table with the European Commission to discuss ways to achieve this.
The North Sea Transition Authority which oversees Britain’s carbon capture plans, has already awarded permits for the UK’s first two carbon storage projects. These are the Northern Endurance Partnership off Teesside in December 2024, and Liverpool Bay carbon capture and storage project in April 2025, which is also operated by Eni.
These two projects together could store more than 200 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to taking 110 million cars off the road for a year. The permits have also unlocked £6 billion worth of supply chain contracts and 4,000 construction jobs.
Enrique Cornejo, OEUK Head of Energy Policy said:
“This Hewett appraisal well is a powerful signal of industry’s commitment to invest in the UK’s net zero future. It shows how our existing energy infrastructure and expertise are being repurposed to deliver climate solutions. But for commercial carbon capture and storage to succeed at scale, government must accelerate a clear route to market for projects like Bacton CCS which are outside the government’s planned cluster sequencing process. The Hewett appraisal well is a tangible example of industry stepping up, and now it’s time for policy to keep pace.”
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