Aquaterra Energy announced the start of manufacturing its first Recoverable Abandonment Frame (RAF) system, developed for the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) project, one of the most advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives in the United Kingdom.
The system is part of the contract awarded to Aquaterra Energy in 2025 for well re-entry and re-abandonment services within NEP’s offshore infrastructure.
RAF Technology Addresses Legacy Well Risks
The patent-pending RAF system was designed to manage one of the main integrity challenges associated with offshore geological CO2 storage: the presence of historical wells that could become vulnerable points within future storage sites.
The technology enables vertical well re-entry to facilitate safe remediation and permanent abandonment operations, while ensuring that legacy wells can continue to be monitored and managed long-term.
According to Aquaterra Energy, the system could reduce abandonment costs by up to £20 million per well and decrease remediation times by up to 50%.
Manufacturing Conducted in the United Kingdom
Manufacturing of the first RAF system is being carried out by Derrick Services Ltd (DSL) in Great Yarmouth, utilizing components and equipment from the British supply chain.
George Morrison, CEO of Aquaterra Energy, stated that the advancement toward manufacturing represents a significant milestone for both the company and the UK offshore CCS sector.
“Carbon storage will be fundamental to industrial decarbonization, but projects cannot scale without confidence in the safe management of legacy wells,” Morrison noted.
The company believes the RAF could become a key enabling technology for future carbon storage projects in mature basins worldwide.
Northern Endurance Partnership Drives CCS in the United Kingdom
Northern Endurance Partnership provides offshore infrastructure for carbon storage within the East Coast Cluster project, one of the UK’s leading industrial decarbonization initiatives.
The project is authorized to inject up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 annually starting in 2028, playing a strategic role within the United Kingdom’s climate and energy objectives.
Rich Denny, Managing Director of NEP, emphasized that the solution developed by Aquaterra Energy offers an innovative approach to managing the long-term integrity of offshore CO2 storage sites.
“This type of collaboration is essential to deliver a world-class CCS network that will help decarbonize industry, protect jobs, and drive long-term economic growth in the United Kingdom,” Denny stated.
Source and photo: https://aquaterraenergy.com/