Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB) and Northern Lights Joint Venture (NL) have unveiled a collaboration with Microsoft to digitally transform the carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain. This strategic partnership aims to leverage advanced cloud-based workflows to enhance the efficiency and scalability of Northern Lights, a pioneer in cross-border CCS services.
Digitalizing the CCS Value Chain for Global Impact
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by SLB, NL, and Microsoft marks a significant milestone in advancing digital solutions for the emerging CCS industry. Børre Jacobsen, Managing Director of Northern Lights, emphasized the importance of digital workflows in managing CO2 throughout the value chain, underscoring the commitment to developing scalable and cost-efficient solutions.
SLB’s Role in Accelerating CCS Scale-Up
In the initial phase, SLB plans to extend its digital CCS workflows and numerical simulation systems using its Delfi™ digital platform. This platform, deployed in 2022 to streamline Northern Lights’ subsurface workflows, will play a pivotal role in achieving the necessary speed and scale for CCS. Trygve Randen, Senior Vice President of Digital Products and Solutions at SLB, highlighted the urgency, stating that CCS must scale up by 100–200 times within three decades to meet global net-zero ambitions.
Microsoft’s Azure Platform to Support Scalable Cloud Services
Microsoft, a key player in this collaboration, will deploy and extend its Azure platform to provide scalable cloud services supporting both Northern Lights’ business and SLB’s digital CCS workflows. The collaboration also involves developing an Azure-compliant open-source data platform, serving as the digital infrastructure for Northern Lights. Sverre Brandsberg Dahl, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft Energy and Resources Industry, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to drive tangible CO2 reductions and accelerate the CCS industry.
Critical Role of Carbon Capture and Storage
The International Energy Agency (IEA) underscores the importance of carbon capture and storage in achieving net-zero emissions, stating that “reaching net zero will be virtually impossible without CCUS.” Northern Lights Joint Venture, established by Equinor, TotalEnergies, and Shell, aims to accelerate industrial decarbonization. The project is on track to begin receiving and storing CO2 from industrial emitters in 2024, with a storage capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes per year in its first phase.
Looking Ahead: Towards a Greener Future
This collaboration not only signifies a crucial step in the fight against climate change but also demonstrates the commitment of industry leaders to actively contribute to global climate goals. As Northern Lights expands its storage capacity according to market development, the joint efforts of SLB, NL, and Microsoft will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of carbon capture and storage.
About SLB and Northern Lights:
- SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company driving energy innovation and sustainability.
- Northern Lights is developing the world’s first cross-border CO2 transport and storage infrastructure, scheduled to be operational in 2024.
Quotes:
“Digital solutions have a key role to play in enabling the necessary speed and scale for CCS, and we are excited to work closely with Microsoft and the Northern Lights JV.” — Trygve Randen, SVP Digital Products and Solutions, SLB
“We are confident this lighthouse project can help accelerate the CCS industry and the digital infrastructure needed to reach global climate goals.” — Sverre Brandsberg Dahl, CTO, Microsoft Energy and Resources Industry
