Mini nuclear reactors to power natural gas extraction in the North Sea. A way to increase energy production by decarbonizing it
London-based independent energy company Viario will collaborate with clean nuclear technology developer Newcleo in a strategic partnership to deploy advanced modular reactors (AMRs, a type of SMR ) to support the decarbonisation of the oil and gas sector. These Generation IV reactors use nuclear waste as fuel to generate approximately 200 MW of electricity each.
Viaro and Newcleo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines a framework for the collaborative activities planned to decarbonize Viaro's oil and gas infrastructure.
Newcleo is developing lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology which, due to its intrinsic safety and compact characteristics, is suitable for a wide range of sites.
Newcleo reactor
Viaro, through its operating subsidiary RockRose Energy, holds interests in oil and gas fields and production assets on the UK continental shelf, in the South and Central and West Shetland sectors, and in the Dutch sector of the North Sea, through a combination of strategic investments in exploration opportunities and mature producing fields.
RockRose Energy is also a partner of key terminals such as the Shetland Gas Plant and Bacton Terminal in the UK and the Den Helder Gas Plants in the Netherlands.
Viaro invested directly in Newcleo by acquiring shares as part of the latest capital increase. So the company's choice in the nuclear sector was quite obvious.
After completing feasibility studies, the companies intend to establish a joint venture for the deployment of newcleo's 200 MWe LFR reactors at selected sites within Viaro's portfolio of assets and potential acquisitions in which Viaro is currently engaged.
Viaro said the technology will help achieve net zero goals by maximizing the benefits of AMR reactors for cogeneration, combined heat and power and off-grid applications.
The average life of an LFR reactor is 60 years and, following the decarbonisation of Viaro's hydrocarbon assets, LFRs will continue to provide clean energy to the UK national electricity grid and other parts of Europe where the technology is deployed.
“The partnership with newcleo is an important milestone in our strategy to exemplify the only economically sustainable approach to the energy transition, investing in both energy security and long-term zero emissions goals,” said Francesco Mazzagatti, CEO of Viaro Energy.
Viario acts through its subsidiary RockRose Energy for the exploitation of natural gas fields located in the North Sea, so important for the British economy. The idea that Viario wants to develop with RockRose and Newcleo is very complex and ambitious: in fact it is not only a question of decarbonising gas production, applying a powerful and autonomous energy source to the extraction heads, but also of creating extraction points completely automated.
The fields that should be developed, and which are currently partially exploited, are located in the northern North Sea, near Shetland, or in the Humber River estuary. The aim is to be able to independently power these wells without using carbon sources, also with the prospect of using this gas to produce blue hydrogen. Furthermore, Viario also owns concessions in the Dutch area which could be exploited with the same automated technology.
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The article Mini nuclear reactors to power natural gas extraction in the North Sea. One way to increase energy production by decarbonizing it comes from Economic Scenarios .
This is a machine translation of a post published on Scenari Economici at the URL https://scenarieconomici.it/mini-reattori-nucleari-per-alimentare-lestrazione-di-gas-naturale-nel-mare-del-nord-una-viaa-per-aumentare-la-produzione-energetica-decarbonizzandola/ on Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:57:48 +0000.