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 Pipeline will be regularly performed. The 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.
Operation and maintenance
Once the Pipeline is operational, it will not require permanent staffing or personnel presence. The AGIs will be operated remotely and controlled from the Point of Ayr Terminal in Flintshire. However, the AGIs 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 AGIs, 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 AGIs is expected to be minor and consists of lubrication, and calibration of instruments.
Decommissioning
The infrastructure for the Pipeline 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 AGIs and Pipeline will be decommissioned and preserved in line with industry best practices and facility owner requirements at the time of decommissioning.