FPSO operator Modec has entered into a front end engineering and design (FEED) contract with Samsung E&A for an offshore carbon capture and storage (OCCS) pilot project, selecting UK company Carbon Clean’s modular CycloneCC technology.
The study envisages the installation of a carbon capture module on a Modec FPSO vessel as a pilot, and it will be a first-of-a-kind deployment of CycloneCC in an onboard setting. Carbon Clean will provide FEED support to Samsung, including equipment supply of the rotating packed bed (RPB) technology at the heart of CycloneCC and process design package (PDP) licensing for the unit. Samsung will perform detailed engineering to optimise CycloneCC for the offshore environment and FPSO’s boundary conditions.
CycloneCC is considered suited to an offshore maritime environment, as the unit footprint is up to 50% smaller than conventional solutions, with its largest equipment sizes reduced by a factor of 10. The recently launched CycloneCC C1 series delivers a height reduction of 70% compared to column-based technologies. The RPBs are expected to achieve enhanced capture performance under vessel motions compared to columns, an important consideration for maritime operations.
Koichi Matsumiya, CTO, Modec, said: “Modec is proactively pursuing two targets through our R&D activities. One is to provide a stable energy supply to society with minimum GHG emission, and another is to prepare for new floater solutions to bridge the society with alternative energies from oil and gas. We believe that the carbon capture technology proposed by Carbon Clean will be the key to achieve both of our targets. We will make our best efforts to progress the readiness level of this technology by utilising our experience at offshore and would like to materialise this technology at offshore in the shortest possible timeframe.”
Cheon Hong Park, EVP and Head of Sustainable Solutions Division, Samsung E&A, said: “Samsung E&A is thrilled to combine forces with Modec and Carbon Clean on this pivotal carbon capture pilot project. This initiative aligns with our company’s mission to address societal challenges through our technological solutions. It marks a significant milestone with the first application of Carbon Clean’s innovative carbon capture technology in the marine industry. We are confident that the successful execution of this project will play a key role in advancing Modec’s mid-term decarbonisation plan while accelerating the commercialisation of Carbon Clean’s CycloneCC technology. We look forward to delivering a successful project and strengthening our partnership for a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Aniruddha Sharma, Chair and CEO, Carbon Clean, said: “We’re proud to deliver this ground-breaking, first-of-a-kind project with industry leaders Samsung E&A and Modec. Onboard carbon capture is essential for decarbonising offshore oil and gas operations. Our highly modular CycloneCC technology is 10x smaller than conventional solutions, making it ideal for confined spaces, including floating vessels and maritime settings. Its replicable, scalable design makes it logistically and commercially viable to be deployed across a fleet at a fraction of the cost of traditional amine systems.”
The OCCS project is in line with Modec’s decarbonisation strategy, specifically the goal of reducing CO2 emissions in its FPSO operations. Once successful, the next stage may include the installation of a commercial, scaled-up CycloneCC unit on Modec’s FPSO fleet.
Image: Carbon Clean Carbon CC demonstration unit (source: Carbon Clean/Kekst CNC )
