Establishing flow meter traceability along the CO2 value chain

Challenge

With decarbonization ambitions moving forward, the transport of CO₂ is becoming increasingly important to facilitate carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). As well as for natural gas systems, accurate measurement and subsequent billing for CCUS is required to show compliance with national and international emissions-reduction regulations, like the EU Emissions Trading System.

To enable flow metering performance assessments and qualification, test facilities are required that can operate within the demanded operational ranges and have a proven traceability to international standards. These facilities do not exist. DNV is leading a joint industry project (JIP) that brings together equipment suppliers and large TSO’s and E&P’s to target this industry need.

Objective

The JIP aims at building the world-first proven reference network of facilities for testing and calibration of flow meter technology along the entire CO₂ value chain; from high-pressure dense phase well injection to low-temperature liquid shipping. These extremely challenging field conditions force DNV and the stakeholders to jointly explore the unknown territory for reference- and metering systems.

Approach

Due to the range of applications, the JIP structure will cover the application areas in different phases. These include:

1. Feasibility study for CO₂ flow metering calibration facilities 
2. Calibration and testing in gas phase at pressures ranging between 10 and 40 bar at temperatures between -40°C and 30°C.
3. Calibration and testing in liquid/dense phase at pressure ranging between  7 and 150 bar at temperatures between -40°C and 30°C. 
4. Supercritical phase at pressure ranging between 90 and 150 bar at temperatures between 30°C and 50°C.

The JIP is currently in phase 1: Feasibility study for CO₂ flow metering calibration facilities. Each phase is based on the knowledge generated in the preceding phases and will have a new contract where interested parties can join.

Project details

The projected timeline is to finish all phases of this JIP in three years.

Project status

Phase 1  has started on 1 January 2022 and will be completed on 1 May 2022.

Phase 2 of the project is open for new parties to join.