Allseas’ Lorelay pipe-laying vessel has started offshore activities in Rotterdam Harbour, initiating the installation of a 20-kilometer, 16-inch CO2 pipeline. The pipeline, insulated for heat retention and coated with concrete to ensure stability, will transport CO2 captured from Rotterdam’s industrial sector to depleted gas fields beneath the North Sea for permanent storage. The operation requires precise positioning and constant coordination with port authorities, especially near the Maasgeul shoreline.
The Porthos infrastructure includes 30 kilometers of onshore pipeline, a compressor station, an injection platform, and repurposed wells and gas fields. Allseas serves as the primary offshore contractor, handling the pipeline’s installation, burial, and commissioning. The project recently acquired TAQA’s P18-A gas production platform and associated assets, which will be converted into a CO2 injection platform powered by solar panels and wind turbines to enhance sustainability.
Porthos is expected to store approximately 37 million tons of CO2 over 15 years, with an annual capacity of 2.5 million tons, using four wells located over 3 kilometers below the seabed. The project, set to become operational in 2026, is a significant step toward sustainable energy solutions. Porthos stated: “TAQA is carrying out the transformation work on behalf of Porthos – a collaboration that combines technical expertise with a shared ambition for climate solutions. The conversion is expected to be completed by the end of 2025; the Porthos project will be operational in the course of 2026.”
Other companies, including Valaris, which is deploying its Valaris 123 rig, and contributors like Expro, MAN Energy Solutions, and KCI, are supporting the project. Allseas recently strengthened its capabilities by adding two new offshore construction vessels to its fleet, further enabling its role in large-scale offshore projects like Porthos. The initiative highlights collaborative efforts to repurpose existing infrastructure for CO2 storage, contributing to regional environmental goals.
