Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the idea behind the project?

CO₂next, a collaboration between Gasunie and Vopak is investigating the development of an independent hub terminal for liquid CO₂ on the Maasvlakte in the port of Rotterdam. Such infrastructures are important in the context of the Dutch climate agreement. The independent hub terminal will be able to receive and deliver liquid CO₂ via ships and will be connected to the depleted gas fields in the North Sea, offering transport of substantial volumes of CO₂ in the near future. This open access system will make the necessary infrastructures available to all market parties, including parties that do not have a direct connection to a CO₂ pipeline. In addition, this planned terminal can be an important catalyst in the creation of a market for the reuse of CO₂ as a raw material.

Q. What is the timeline? When will FID take place?

This is part of the feasibility study.

Q. When do you expect the results of the feasibility study? Will these be published?

The project is still being investigated.

Q. How do Aramis CCS and CO₂next complement each other in the chain?

Both are building a part of the value chain for CO₂ storage. For CO₂next that is specifically the reception and delivery of liquid CO₂ via ships from industrial clusters. The CO₂next initiative has direct interfaces with the Aramis initiative, as the intention is to use the Aramis CO2 infrastructure for transport to the depleted oil and/or gas fields. The CO₂next terminal will be connected to the Aramis pipeline. Aramis has been scheduled as launching customer of CO₂next. In addition, Aramis and CO₂next are partly taking a joint approach in the National Coordination Regulation (RCR) of Aramis. This has started in January 2022.

Q. Why do Aramis and CO₂next take a joint approach in the permitting process?

Both projects are part of the CCS/CO₂ value chain. Subsidy schemes drive for an integrated supply chain approach. Hence, it seems logical to take a joint approach in the permitting process.

Q. What is CO₂next’s connection with Porthos?

The exact relation / connection with Porthos will be part of the feasibility study. Although we intend to align with the Porthos timeline, as an independent facilitator we can reschedule to whatever is convenient. In this sense we are not part of the critical timeline of the CO₂/CCS value chain.

Q. Will this open access system be open to all emitters, including Rotterdam and Moerdijk?

Basically the access system of CO₂next will be open to all emitters.

Q. Does CO₂next have to comply with the environmental impact assessment (m.e.r.)?

With the environmental impact assessment (m.e.r.), the environment is given a place in the decision-making process about a plan or project. The expected effects are described in an environmental impact report. Whether CO₂next has to submit to the environmental impact assessment (m.e.r.) is part of the feasibility study.

Q. Why does CO₂next focus on storage of CO₂, and less on CO₂ utilization?

As long as sustainable energy resources remain scarce and there is insufficient market for the reuse of CO₂, infrastructures to transport and store CO₂ in depleted gas fields in the North Sea are important within the near future to achieve the climate goals. Nevertheless, this planned terminal can be an important catalyst in the creation of a market for the reuse of CO₂ as a raw material.

Q. How does the balancing of the system work, and what is CO₂next’s role?

Transporting CO₂ by ship allows a flexible solution. In case access to the Dutch depleted gas fields offshore is prohibited for whatever reason, the CO₂ can be transported elsewhere. This planned terminal can be an important catalyst in the creation of a market for the reuse of CO₂ as a raw material.

Q. Is there a role for negative emissions?

In the future CO₂next can support its customers to realise negative emissions when emitters switch from petroleum to biogenic raw material for the production of biochemical fuels and raw materials. This will lead to net negative emissions in the production process and value chain.

Q. Can emitters apply for subsidy for using CO₂next? What are the rules to apply?
SDE++ subsidy schemes allow emitters to submit a request for subsidy when using the CO₂next facilities to store CO₂ in depleted gas fields in the North Sea.