From concept to capability: NOC achieves milestone in CCS sensor innovation

After six months of uninterrupted operation on the seafloor, a lander system - designed and developed by researchers at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - has been successfully recovered, having continuously measured key parameters of seawater chemistry.

The equipment recovery marks the completion of an initial study measuring the natural seawater chemistry before storage activities begin. This data will be essential in assessing the integrity of sub-seabed carbon dioxide storage facilities in the future. 

NOC has been working with partners in Denmark to show how NOC’s sensor technology can be applied in a real industrial context. This was demonstrated by the successful deployment and recovery of the lander at the Greensand CO2 storage facility at the former Nini West Oil Field in the North Sea.

Dr Allison Schaap, a senior engineer specialising in microfluidic sensors at NOC, said:

"This is an enormous step forward in how we monitor offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) and cements NOC's role as a world leader in the development of new technology to study marine chemistry.

“The results from this six-month deployment of our new sensor technology proves our technology can provide round the clock monitoring that will be invaluable in the future of CCS and CO2 storage facilities – supporting and protecting the marine environment around them.

“Previously, measurements would generally be taken once or twice a year. These new sensors receive readings multiple times a day – providing real-time information which is a crucial development enabling regular assurance of storage integrity while also collecting scientifically-valuable information on the marine environment.”

Funded by INEOS, this latest demonstration of the advanced sensors reinforces NOC’s position as a world-leader of innovation in marine chemistry and carbon capture and storage (CCS) monitoring. Dr Schaap added: “This work follows on from many years of effort, funded by the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the EU, that supported the development of new sensors for the scientific study of marine chemistry. We’re excited to apply our scientific instruments and technical knowledge to enable new monitoring practices in the offshore CCS industry.”

Designed to meet the growing operational and regulatory needs of CCS projects, the technology supports accurate, reliable monitoring - an essential requirement as the sector accelerates deployment to meet net zero targets. Used alongside green technology aimed at reducing emissions, these sensors have clear potential to support effective carbon management.

Data and performance insights generated using the new sensor technology will be shared with UK regulators this summer, with the intention of enabling wider market adoption of the new technology later this year. This represents a key step towards operational deployment, supporting industry confidence and uptake across commercial CCS projects.

Matt Warner, Commercial Development Manager at NOC, said: “We see strong market demand for affordable, robust and scalable CCS monitoring solutions that support risk based, site specific needs. Through NOC Innovations, we are actively seeking partnerships across the sector to support commercial rollout and provide monitoring capability that meets the needs of the global marine industry.”