The United Kingdom has witnessed the successful drilling of the country's first carbon storage appraisal well as part of its ambitious carbon capture and storage objectives.
According to Offshore Energies UK, this new well in the decommissioned Hewett gas field off Bacton on the coast of North Norfolk, will play a significant role in accelerating the path to net zero greenhouse gas emissions as it serves as a major carbon store in the region. The project reflects the UK industry's sustainable approach as it repurposes existing oil and gas infrastructure, delivering carbon capture and storage with the help of efficient supply chains and skilled workforce.
The site operated by the global energy company Eni, is part of the North Sea Transition Authority’s first carbon storage licencing round.
Powering the UK with gas for decades, the Hewett field will now boast a storage capacity of up to 10 million tonnes of CO2 annually as a large-scale carbon storage facility. This equals the yearly greenhouse gas emissions of around a fifth of all UK industry.
The location of Hewett is particularly well placed to support the decarbonisation of industry in Southern England and also industrial greenhouse gas producers in continental Europe.
With an aim to accelerate this process, Offshore Energies UK has initiated a round table with the European Commission, looking to navigate regulatory barriers that currently prevent cross border transport of carbon emissions.
The North Sea Transition Authority which oversees Britain’s carbon capture plans, has already awarded permits for the UK’s first two carbon storage projects. These are the Northern Endurance Partnership off Teesside in December 2024, and Liverpool Bay carbon capture and storage project in April 2025, which is also operated by Eni.
These two projects together could store more than 200 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to taking 110 million cars off the road for a year. The permits have also unlocked £6bn worth of supply chain contracts and 4,000 construction jobs.
Enrique Cornejo, OEUK Head of Energy Policy, said, “This Hewett appraisal well is a powerful signal of industry’s commitment to invest in the UK’s net zero future. It shows how our existing energy infrastructure and expertise are being repurposed to deliver climate solutions. But for commercial carbon capture and storage to succeed at scale, government must accelerate a clear route to market for projects like Bacton CCS which are outside the government’s planned cluster sequencing process. The Hewett appraisal well is a tangible example of industry stepping up, and now it’s time for policy to keep pace.”
