Cross-Border CCS Infrastructure in Norway, the UK and the Netherlands

Abstract

Cross-border transportation of CO2 and the establishment of storage hubs may be necessary to reduce costs and commercialize CCS. The EU has included CCS in the scheme Projects of Common Interest, requiring cross-border collaboration. The London Protocol Article 6 prohibits the export of CO2 for storage. Although amended to accommodate for such activities, the amendment lifting this prohibition has not yet entered into force due to the lack of sufficient number of ratifications. While waiting for the ratifications, this paper examines different alternatives relevant for the proceeding of a specific Project of Common Inerest without breaching international obligations. Our findings, based on the examination of the relevant alternatives, support an approach involving provisional application of the pending amendment.

Keywords: Legal, London Protocol, cross-border infrastructure, hubs & clusters, Projects of Common Interest, International marine treaties, GHGT-14