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Key Knowledge Document | NS051-EN-PLN-000-00007
This document focuses on the management of technical risk associated with operating a full-chain CCUS hub with first-of-a-kind integration of emerging technologies. The document was provided by BP Exploration for Net Zero Teesside and Northern Endurance Partnership, part of what is now known as the East Coast Cluster.
The Technology Plan aims to systematically identify and manage unproven technologies to reduce associated risks. This is achieved by recording and tracking each technology’s progress, outlining mitigation strategies and contingencies. Regular reviews of the project technology plan ensure that all relevant technologies are captured, and risk mitigations are progressing.
This paper demonstrates a systematic approach to acknowledging, classifying, and quantifying the technology risks associated with implementing the Net Zero Teesside and Northern Endurance Partnership projects.
The document starts with a clear understanding of the project’s objectives, scope, and intended outcomes. It highlights the goal of decarbonizing the Humber and Teesside industrial clusters and the expected phased development of the project.
The project philosophy on technology emphasizes early identification and mitigation of risks, market engagement, knowledge sharing, and alignment with industry standards. This approach ensures that the project remains up to date with industry developments and optimizes the proposed concept.
The document highlights the challenges in areas such as full chain dispatchability and scale-up. It acknowledges the first-of-a-kind nature of the project and the need for proper management of proprietary data and intellectual property to ensure that the project’s innovations are protected and leveraged effectively.
Anyone planning the technical implementation of a CCUS Hub or interested in the maturity of CCUS technology would benefit from reading this paper.
The Technology Plan focuses on the management of technical risk associated with operating in full-chain dispatchability and with first-of-a-kind (FOAK) integration of emerging technologies. Both the integrated carbon capture plant and the gas-fired power plant will turn on and off to support intermittent renewables. This dispatchability requires new approaches to design and operating procedures.
Key technology risk areas are associated with full chain dispatchability, FOAK integration and subsurface safety valves (SSSV). Technologies supporting those risk areas are categorized as either enabling or enhancing. A scale of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is provided, ranging from “unproven concept” level 0 to “field-proven” level 7. Unproven technologies with a TRL of at least 3 are identified, and several 2-page documents are used to track the qualification milestones, mitigations and contingencies of each.
The paper documents several technologies that have been discounted as their risk level initially identified is no longer credible, or the technology is too underdeveloped. These discounted risks include:
The two-page summaries of technology opportunities include completed fields for classification, independent verification subject matter experts, qualifying party, technology description, value proposition, relevant bp/industry experience, current status, qualification/TRL milestones, key risks, mitigations, contingency plan and associated key documents. There are fields within the two-page summaries that have been removed or not completed in the document such as the qualification cost estimate.
Full Chain Technology Opportunities includes 2-page summaries for full chain dispatchability and FOAK integration.
Facilities Functional Technology Opportunities includes 2-page summaries for flue gas diverters, flue gas blowers, use of a large absorber and quencher unit, solvent scale-up, O2 removal, ductile fracture propagation on offshore pipelines, corrosion mechanisms in gathering network and offshore pipeline, qualification pf non-metallic materials with dense phase CO2, CO2 detection onsite, all-electric subsea control, and H-class combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT).
Wells Technology Opportunities includes 2-page summaries for subsurface safety valves for CO2 injection wells and distributed acoustic sending (DAS) in subsea wells.
Subsurface Technology Opportunities includes 2-page summaries for in-well gravity survey, optimized 2DHR seismic for 4D monitoring, and permanent landers for seabed monitoring.
This document demonstrates a practical approach to reducing risk of new technologies within the CCUS application, by acknowledging how risks impact project planning, and by systematically categorizing and summarizing each technology risk. Other projects could use a similar approach to understand, reduce and manage technology risk.
The risk reduction and management process can include a dynamic risk register to regularly update and track risks, allowing for more effective management and mitigation of new risks as they emerge. Periodic reviews and audits can be conducted to ensure that risk management processes remain effective and adapt to changes in the project or industry landscape.
For the project overview section, including quantitative targets for decarbonization provide a clearer picture of the project’s ambitions and success metrics. Additionally, offering more details on the collaboration and partnership structure between stakeholders can facilitate better coordination and alignment of efforts.
When it comes to technology philosophy, cross-functional collaboration and communication should be encouraged to enable a more holistic understanding of technology risks and opportunities. Adopting agile methodologies and iterative approaches to technology development and integration will allow for more rapid adaptation and learning in response to changing project needs or industry trends.
The intellectual property strategy could include a more detailed framework for managing intellectual property, with guidelines for sharing information with external stakeholders and handling disputes or conflicts. Establishing clear criteria for evaluating and prioritizing intellectual property investments will ensure that resources are allocated effectively.
Lastly, as new projects emerge, lessons learned from other projects or industries about addressing key technology risks can be incorporated. Developing contingency plans for key technology risks will ensure project continuity and resilience in the face of unforeseen challenges or setbacks. By incorporating these suggestions, the document will be better equipped to address potential challenges and provide a more robust framework for managing risks, technology development, and intellectual property.
Document name: Net Zero Teesside & Northern Endurance Partnership Technology Plan
Reference number: NS051-EN-PLN-000-00007
Document length: 63 pages
Topic area: CCUS Hub Technology Risk Management
Project: Net Zero Teesside / Northern Endurance Partnership
Original report date: July 2021
Original author: BP Exploration Operating Company
Reviewer names: Mark Hutchison, P.Eng, PMP; James Fann, P.Eng
Reviewer organization: International CCS Knowledge Centre
Date of review: April 2023
The CCUS Hub is designed to support policy-makers, potential hub developers and emitters interested in setting up a CCUS hub by sharing learnings from the most advanced hubs and identifying new ones.