Buffer Storage Modelling for Offshore Carbon Capture Projects

The Challenge:

As carbon capture projects expand globally, ensuring uninterrupted CO₂ injection into offshore aquifers has become a critical technical challenge. Tankers transporting CO₂ to remote injection sites face unpredictable metocean conditions, which can delay or interrupt offloading. This creates a need for buffer storage systems that can maintain continuous injection without excessive oversizing and cost escalation.

What We Did:

Crondall Energy developed a bespoke Buffer Storage Model to support the design and operations for offshore CO₂ injection. The model integrates:

• Historical metocean data to simulate tanker connectivity and offloading windows

• Vendor data on offloading system operability and tanker dynamics

• Injection rates, turndown capacity, and CO₂ density parameters

• Real-time simulation outputs showing tanker status and FSIU storage levels

This enabled rapid sensitivity analysis to determine optimal sizing for continuous injection, even during adverse weather conditions.

Key Results:

✅ Continuous Injection Enabled: Modelled buffer capacity to maintain flow during delays

✅ Cost-Efficient Design Achieved: Avoided oversizing through targeted sensitivity analysis

✅ Operational Risk Reduced: Anticipated offloading disruptions using specific metocean data

Impact:

Crondall Energy’s modelling solution supports the efficient and resilient design of offshore CO₂ storage systems. By enabling continuous injection and reducing project risk, the Buffer Storage Model advances the viability of carbon capture technologies and contributes to global decarbonisation efforts.