Wintershall Dea has been awarded an operatorship in Greenstore CO2 storage license in Jutland, the first onshore Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) license round in Denmark.

Wintershall Dea as operator with 40% along with 4and its partners, INEOS Energy Denmark (40%) and Nordsøfonden (20%), will develop the project in close dialogue with local and national stakeholders

Awarded by the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Utilities, the country is taking a lead position in establishing a carbon capture and storage industry in Europe.

“With this license award, Denmark is taking another step towards building a new industry and contributing to reduce CO2 emissions both in Denmark and in Europe,” said Anne-Mette Cheese, Country Lead for Carbon Management and Hydrogen in Denmark.

Wintershall Dea and the partnership will do its part in supporting Denmark in reducing domestic and European CO2 emissions, the company stated in a press release.

“We are grateful that the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities entrusted Wintershall Dea with the operatorship of the Greenstore onshore storage license. The partners are looking forward to safely develop the storage site in close dialogue with local and national stakeholders,” Anne-Mette Cheese added.

Notably, the Gassum area, north of the city Randers in Jutland, has been thoroughly examined by The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and is one of five areas onshore Denmark deemed suitable for storage of CO2.

“Our ambitious work program will further narrow uncertainties around storage capacity and the storage complex development planning, related injection rates and start up dates will be updated during course of the project” said Marius Brundiers, Project Manager for Wintershall Dea’s Danish onshore activities.

Given all required approvals by the authorities, the partnership foresees first injection in 2029. The storage capacity is initially estimated to up to 250 million tons of CO2 in two separate geological formations at between 2000 meters and 3000 meters depth below surface.

Wintershall Dea sees Denmark with its progressive regulations and significant geological potential as a natural partner for developing a commercially viable CCS industry.

“This initiative is crucial for achieving Danish, as well as German climate goals and supporting Europe’s broader environmental objectives,” Anne-Mette Cheese said.