One step closer to making Denmark a European CO₂ hub: Bifrost Project granted special EU status

Copenhagen, November 27th, 2023 – Bifrost Project in the Danish North Sea now achieves the special European (EU) status as a Project of Common Interest. This brings the partners behind the project closer to realizing the goal of making Denmark a CO₂ storage hub that will contribute to a European climate-neutral economy by 2050. 

The European Commission has granted Bifrost Project the status as a Project of Common Interest (PCI). TotalEnergies is coordinating the Bifrost Project PCI on behalf of the other partners that will play key roles in the implementation of the project: ARC, Evida, Ørsted, Nordsøfonden and BlueNord.  The status means that PCI projects and participants can benefit from a simplified permitting, with the right to apply for EU funding from the Connecting Europe Facility program. To attain the PCI status, a project must significantly impact energy markets and market integration across at least two EU countries, enhance competition in energy markets, and bolster energy security by diversifying energy sources. It must also contribute to the EU’s climate and energy goals by integrating renewable energy. The PCI project lists are updated biennially. 

“This is a milestone for TotalEnergies and our partners. Our work to establish large-scale CO₂ storage sites in the Danish North Sea is now recognized at an EU level, as a crucial element in the transition of the heavy emitter industries. This is an important boost that will help pave the way for creating a Danish CCS industry for the benefit of both Denmark and Europe”, says Martin Rune Pedersen, Country Chair and Managing Director CCS at TotalEnergies Denmark. 

As the primary integrator of the Bifrost Project, TotalEnergies is bringing together partners from various sectors of the CCS value chain. This includes transportation and storage, with the aim of building robust partnerships with key infrastructure providers. The goal is to mitigate risks and invest in the future CO₂ network. Furthermore, TotalEnergies is fostering collaborations in heavy industrial clusters or with important CO₂ emitters situated in such regions as of Copenhagen and Aalborg in Denmark, Leipzig and Elbe estuary in Germany, Gdansk in Poland and Slite in Sweden. Denmark’s unique geological conditions, combined with its expertise and infrastructural capabilities, provide an exceptional environment for large-scale, permanent CO₂ storage. This recognition underscores the project’s contribution to the EU’s energy security, market competition, and climate goals. 

The status of Project Bifrost as a PCI will officially be approved on Tuesday November 28th, 2023.  

To read more about the PCI application and status updates, visit the official EU Commission website here

About TotalEnergies globally

TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energy: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables, and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, more sustainable, more reliable, and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.  

About TotalEnergies in Denmark and carbon storage

In Denmark, TotalEnergies employs a diverse and international workforce of around 1,200 people in Copenhagen, Esbjerg, and offshore. Together, with the Danish Underground Consortium Partners BlueNord and Nordsøfonden. TotalEnergies is responsible for 86% of the oil and 89% of the national gas produced. In addition, we are developing one of the leading carbon storage projects which is expected to store millions of tons of CO₂ in the depleted oil and gas reservoirs in the Danish North Sea. TotalEnergies operations date back more than half a century, representing an important contribution to Denmark’s economy, energy supply and employment. In addition to our oil and gas activities, TotalEnergies Denmark is working on establishing new business activities within offshore wind, Carbon, Capture and Storage (CCS), solar energy, and other renewable energy sources.    

Hidden beneath the Danish underground lies tremendous potential to contribute to solving the climate crisis and meeting the Danish 70% reduction target by 2030. With Denmark’s unique geology and proximity to European industry, Denmark can become a European hub for CO₂ storage through Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). At TotalEnergies, we want to work with legislators, industry, and civil society to achieve 100% carbon reductions by 2045 and 110% by 2050. Together, we can find solutions to build – and invest in – infrastructure and to ensure incentives for CCS.  

TotalEnergies’ focus is first to avoid emissions and then to reduce them by developing and deploying a systematic approach, asset-by-asset, to implement the best available technologies. For residual emissions, the Company is developing industrial projects for carbon storage. Backed by core competencies in large-scale project management, gas processing and geosciences, TotalEnergies is on track to enable significant decarbonization of European businesses through projects such as Northern Lights in Norway, Aramis in the Netherlands and Bifrost in Denmark. 

TotalEnergies Contacts in Denmark 

Thorkild Diness Jensen / Head of External Communications for TotalEnergies Denmark / +45 20 20 42 36 / thorkild-diness.jensen@totalenergies.com