The CCS value-chain in the Netherlands
The CCS value chain in the Netherlands is designed as an integrated system built on three essential steps: capture, transport, and storage. Industrial facilities will capture CO₂ emissions, which will then be transported to offshore locations and securely stored in depleted gas fields beneath the North Sea seabed. Each stage is interdependent – without capture, there is nothing to transport; without transport, there is nothing to store. Success depends on collaboration, trust, and strong partnerships across all steps. When these elements align, CCS becomes a powerful enabler of large-scale decarbonisation, helping accelerate the transition to a net-zero future.
Paul Vledder, CCS Business Development Manager at Shell“For everything to run smoothly, each step depends on the others, requiring collaboration, trust and strong partnerships at every level. When all parts work together, CCS becomes a powerful tool, paving the way for large-scale decarbonisation.”
Building CCS Storage capacity in the Netherlands
Stay updated on the Launch Stores project advancing offshore CO₂ storage and Shell’s L09-FF expansion within the Aramis system. These initiatives continue to develop innovative solutions for carbon capture and storage.
Launch Stores
The Launch Stores project, a collaboration between TotalEnergies and Shell, is focused on developing the first two offshore CO₂ storage sites in the Aramis CCS value chain (L4-A and K14-FA). This initiative aims to drive technological innovation and deliver reliable, cost-effective CO₂ storage solutions that support Europe’s environmental objectives and industrial competitiveness. With a combined storage capacity of 5 million tonnes per year, Launch Stores will make a significant contribution to the emission reduction targets set out in the Dutch Climate Agreement and the EU Green Deal.
Public partner EBN is involved in both Launch Stores and the broader Aramis project, giving the Dutch state a direct stake in CCS infrastructure. In Shell’s K14-FA project, Rockrose Energy and ONE-Dyas participate as non-operating partners, using the opportunity to build CCS expertise for future projects. This partnership model enables companies to share costs, reduce risk, and pool technical knowledge.
Growth store: L09-FF
Shell is also contributing to the expansion of CO₂ storage capacity within the Aramis system through the L09-FF project. The goal is to have this site fully operational in the first half of the 2030s with a storage capacity of 3.8 million tonnes per year.
The development concept for L09-FF is to connect to the Aramis northern distribution hub via a dedicated pipeline. The initial tranche of capacity is currently available to all interested customers.
Working together with governments and industry to achieve climate targets
Accelerating the pace of CCS deployment requires continued collaboration between governments, industry and investors to stimulate technology and infrastructure development, generate demand for lower carbon products, and help unlock financing capacity.
We recognise the scale of the challenge and have the experience to collaborate throughout the value-chain, offering an integrated solution that combines sequestration and transportation from an emitter's location to an offshore store.
CCS hubs
Develop commercial CCS hubs that enable decarbonisation and low carbon products
Government relations
Work with governments to help shape their net-zero emission pathways.
Working together
Work with customers to help them achieve their own carbon reduction goals and maintain societal license to operate.
It is not just about technology and available infrastructure. Regulations and policies are also required:
- A regulatory regime that promotes high standards for the design, construction and operation of CCS facilities.
- Cross-border agreements on CO2 transport and storage.
- Transparent and timely processes for permitting and licensing across CCS value chains.
- Government incentives to support CCS projects.
- Creation of demand for low-carbon products through public procurement processes.
- Recognition of certified Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) units for compliance purposes and ETS framework.
Helping to decarbonise the value chain
At Shell, we believe CCS is a vital tool for helping society achieve the net-zero goals set out in the UN Paris Agreement on climate change.
Recognising the importance of CO₂ transport and storage
The EU, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the Dutch Climate Agreement all recognize the critical role that CO₂ transport and storage infrastructure will play in meeting industrial emissions reduction targets.
Accelerating and scaling up
Accelerating and scaling up CCS is critical for hard-to-abate sectors – such as cement, waste management, energy production, refineries, chemicals, manufacturing, and steel – where no viable alternatives currently exist.
Unlocking potential
We are collaborating with governments, customers, and partners to unlock the full potential of CCS worldwide. We advocate for policy mechanisms that enable rapid, large-scale deployment and foster industry partnerships to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.
Project location
As a global energy company we are well-placed for upscaling CCS-projects in the North Sea, but why the Dutch North sea?
The Dutch sector of the North Sea offers a large offshore storage capacity
Utilises depleted offshore gas fields
The first CCS projects (e.g. Porthos and Aramis) in the Dutch sector of the North Sea utilise depleted offshore gas fields. There are several operators preparing for injection, making use of the access to capacity that Aramis transport system is providing. Shell Offshore Carbon Storage NL is pleased to be one of the first operators.
The CO₂ Next terminal is expected to be the first liquid CO₂ terminal on the Maasvlakte in the port of Rotterdam
It will be designed to receive and deliver liquid CO2 via ships and will be connected to the offshore CO2 stores via the Aramis transport system.
Provides CO₂ transport capacity to industrial hubs
The Delta Rhine Corridor-project will be designed to provide CO2 transport capacity for industrial hubs in The Netherlands (Moerdijk, Chemelot), Germany (Gelsenkirchen, Cologne, Rhineland). The Dela Schelde CO2nnection will potentially also connect Belgium (Antwerp, Ghent) to the Aramis system.
Project timeline
Stage 1 (2020–26)
Technical development of the first stores and commercial maturation with emitters.
Stage 2 (2028–30)
Construction of the first store.
Stage 3 (2030)
Shell Offshore Carbon Storage NL - start of CO2 injection.
Stage 4 (2030+)
Construction and operation of additional stores.
Disclaimer: all the dates are indicatives and subject to change.
Other CCS projects
The Aramis project
The Aramis project, a cooperation between TotalEnergies, Shell, Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN) and Nederlandse Gasunie, aims to make a significant contribution to the energy transition by reducing CO2 emissions for the hard-to-abate industries.
The Delta Rhine Corridor project
The ambition of the DRC project is to transport CO2 from Germany and the Netherlands to CO2 storage facilities in the North Sea and possible CO2 users. In addition, low-carbon hydrogen will be made available to industry in the Netherlands and Germany via the Rotterdam import point.
CO₂ reduction through storage under the North Sea
Porthos is developing a project to transport CO2 from industry in the Port of Rotterdam and store this in empty gas fields under the North Sea. Porthos stands for Port of Rotterdam CO2 Transport Hub and Offshore Storage.
CO₂NEXT - Open access liquid CO₂ terminal in Rotterdam
Infrastructures to transport and store CO2 in depleted gas fields in the North Sea are important to reduce CO2 emissions within the near future, and therefore important in the context of the Dutch climate agreement and the European Green Deal.
Aramis Launch Stores
The Launch Stores project, a collaboration between TotalEnergies and Shell, focuses on realising the first two offshore CO2 storage sites of the Aramis carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chain.
Delta Schelde CO₂nnection
The Delta Schelde CO2nnection is a CO2 infrastructure project for captured CO2 from industrial clusters in South-West Brabant and the Antwerp region. The infrastructure runs from the Belgian border towards the Moerdijk region. The transport pipeline route will connect in the Moerdijk area to the Delta Rhine Corridor, with the ultimate goal of permanent storage, including via Aramis, in depleted gas fields beneath the North Sea.
