Repurposing Corrib Gas Field: Transitioning to Renewable Energy Options
Key Ideas
- Vermilion and Nephin Energy are exploring renewable energy options to repurpose the Corrib gas field off the west coast of Ireland.
- The study assessed 20 options, including wind, wave, energy storage, hydrogen, and e-fuels, with a focus on transitioning to wind energy and developing hydrogen power.
- Corrib currently provides 20% of Ireland's natural gas, with the operators considering the feasibility of converting it into a renewable energy hub.
- Equinor sold its stake in Corrib to Vermilion Energy, leading to further investments and research in transitioning the field to renewable energy sources.
With the Corrib gas field in Ireland reaching the end of its operational life, Vermilion and Nephin Energy are considering the field's future. The operators sought Worley's expertise to evaluate repurposing options, focusing on renewable energy possibilities. The study, which analyzed around 20 options, emphasized renewable sources like wind, wave, energy storage, hydrogen, and e-fuels. Notably, transitioning to wind energy and introducing hydrogen power emerged as promising paths. Corrib, currently supplying 20% of Ireland's natural gas, may transform into a renewable energy hub. Equinor's recent sale of its stake to Vermilion Energy provides impetus for further exploration and investments in this transition. The operators plan to delve deeper into the identified solutions to assess their viability for the field's sustainable future.