LBCCS has extensive experience designing, building, and operating safe and effective high-pressure gas pipelines and it will use this expertise to develop the Runcorn Spur Pipeline Proposed Development to the highest safety standards.
The UK is home to a range of high-hazard industries and has developed a world-class safety regulatory regime. The UK government regulates all CCS project, its infrastructure and its operation. The safety of the Runcorn Spur Pipeline Proposed Development will be regulated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). Both regulatory bodies have a long track record of effectively regulating safety in the UK hydrocarbon sector.
LBCCS will carefully monitor the Runcorn Spur Pipeline Proposed Development, throughout all the operation phases, CO₂ transportation, injection and safe containment within the reservoir, using state of the art techniques.
Carbon dioxide storage
Gas has remained safely trapped in geological structures such as sandstone reservoirs, like the ones in Liverpool Bay, for millions of years. These reservoirs are deep below the surface of the seabed (see diagram below). The Liverpool Bay CO₂ store will be up to 1km below the seabed and approximately 20 miles offshore. Hundreds of metres of shale lie over the top of these sandstone reservoirs, making an impermeable layer which traps the gas in place. The CO₂ will be stored in the same way as the original natural gas and will remain safely contained in the sandstone reservoirs.
The proposed spur pipeline has been designed to comply with well-established codes and standards, the applicable UK Regulations (including the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996) and industry best practices. Together with detailed safety assessments, operation and integrity management systems, these will ensure the potential for any leakage of CO₂ is minimised and risks are as low as reasonably practicable.
Monitoring
To ensure the safety of the offshore storage under Liverpool Bay, a programme of monitoring, measurement and evaluation will assess the behaviour and integrity of the CO₂ throughout the planned 25-year life span. This will include advanced methods such as geophysical surveys, pressure sensors, seabed surveys and specialised monitoring wells.
Monitoring and maintenance of the proposed spur pipeline will be regularly performed. The proposed spur pipeline network will be fitted with leak detection systems with early warning and remote identification ensuring that it can be safely managed in the event of any leakage. CO2 point gas detectors will also be installed externally at the Runcorn AGI.
Operation and maintenance
Once the Runcorn Spur Pipeline Proposed Development is operational, it will not require permanent staffing or personnel presence. The AGI will be operated remotely and controlled from the Point of Ayr Terminal in Flintshire. However, the AGI will allow for in-person operation when required and will include emergency shut-down valves.
As there will be no onsite power-generating equipment at the AGI, the only active source of noise is expected to be the Electrical and Instrumentation Kiosk, which will be mounted with air conditioning units.
Routine maintenance of the AGI is expected to be minor and consists of lubrication, and calibration of instruments.
Decommissioning
The infrastructure for the Runcorn Spur Pipeline Proposed Development is designed for a lifespan of 25 years. Once it has ceased to be operational, the pipeline will be decommissioned safely, filled with nitrogen and left in-situ. Nitrogen is an inert gas which prevents corrosion of the pipeline.
The above-ground facilities associated with the AGI and pipeline will be decommissioned and preserved in line with industry best practices and facility owner requirements at the time of decommissioning.