We are currently collecting a vast amount of data that will give us an in-depth understanding of the natural seismic activity at the Nini Field in the North Sea. This baseline will be a crucial tool when we begin storing CO2. At that point, we can filter out naturally occurring data and gain clear insights into how the storage process is progressing,” says Cecilie Dybbroe Tang, Senior Geologist at INEOS Energy Denmark.

The eight seismometers are highly sensitive, capable of detecting pressure waves from both ship engines in the waters near the Nini Field I the North Sea and seismic waves from earthquakes on the other side of the planet. Each station weighs approximately 300 kg and together they cover the entire Nini Field, which spans about 12 x 5 kilometers on the seabed. Developed by KUM Kiel, specialists in seabed data collection, the instruments were deployed on the North Sea seabed after being transported by the vessel ESVAGT Innovator.

Safety is Paramount

In December 2024, the operator behind Greensand Future – INEOS – along with its partners, made the final investment decision. With the plan to initiate safe and permanent CO2 storage in the Nini Field by late 2025/early 2026, Greensand is expected to become the EU’s first operational CO2 storage facility aimed at mitigating climate change. This investment decision has paved the way for expected investments exceeding 1 billion DKK across the Greensand CCS value chain to scale up storage capacity.

The ongoing data collection in the North Sea complements results from the Project Greensand pilot phase, which has been verified by DNV, a world-leading independent provider of risk assessment, verification, and standardization services. The rigorous technical verification ensures that the stored CO2 will remain safely and permanently in the sealed Nini West reservoir, approximately 1,800 meters beneath the North Sea seabed.

“There is an enormous potential in the unique Danish subsurface. We must harness this potential, as we can make significant contributions to achieving both Danish and European climate goals. It has already been documented that the Nini Field is a well-functioning storage site capable of safely and permanently storing large volumes of CO2 that would otherwise have been emitted into the atmosphere. Now, we are collecting even more data, as safety is, of course, our top priority – and we firmly believe that documented safe and permanent storage will be a competitive advantage in the future,” says Mads Gade, Country Manager, INEOS Denmark.