Carbon capture and storage market in Norway

Norway has been a pioneer in carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. CCS projects like Sleipner and Snøhvit have been operating in Norway since 1996 and 2008 respectively. Norway has captured and stored a total of 2.115 million tonnes of CO2 at the Sleipner field from 1996 to March 2021. Additionally, the Snøhvit facility has been storing up to 700,000 tonnes of CO2 per year since 2008.  

Norway opened its flagship full-scale CCS project, Longship, in 2025. Longship is a project led by the Norwegian government. It includes the Northern Lights project, which will transport and store carbon. Northern Lights is a joint venture between private companies, and is funded by both the Norwegian government and the European Union (EU). As of 2025, the Norwegian government has awarded 13 licences for CO2 storage offshore and aims to provide storage space for captures CO2 from European emitters. 

Norway is home to the Technology Centre Mongstad (TSM), the world's largest facility for testing and improving CO2 capture technologies. There are many private CCS projects in Norway, making it a diverse and fast-growing market with close connections to Europe and the EU. Norway is also part of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (the non-ETS tariff) tax hub.

Key opportunities for Canadian CCC companies in Norway

  • Equipment and tech suppliers: This includes alternative capture technologies in a market that will invest CAD 4 to 6 billion before 2030.
  • EU market access: Investments in producing assets with good export potential to the EU market.

Notable challenges for Canadian CCC companies in Norway

  • Trust: Networking and trust building is essential in Norway. This can take time.
  • Strong competition: Canada faces significant competition from key players like the United States and European countries.
  • Project quality: The quantity of projects means some have low substance. Due diligence is required. 

Industry highlights

The Longship project is the world’s first full-scale value chain CCS project

#9 — Norway’s global ranking on the World Bank Group’s ease of doing business list

Canadian exports — Norway is Canada’s largest export market in the Nordics

CAD 4 to 6 billion invested in CCS by 2030

55% — Expected cut in emissions by 2030

C-EFTA — Exporting business benefit from the Canada-Norway Free Trade Agreement

Norway’s business landscape

CCS is central to Norway’s climate strategy to cut emissions. Norway has taken multiple steps to decarbonize its oil and gas industry, embracing the energy transition to low-carbon and green sources. The government supports CCS through Gassnova and public-private partnerships. Norway has ambitious climate targets that involve cutting emissions by more than half from its 1990 levels by 2030, and reducing to net zero by 2050. 

There are many other capture and storage projects in various stages of development, including in the waste-to-energy sector. 

Carbon utilization projects have not received much government support and momentum in Norway. This may change as some small emitters find a cost-efficient way to store their carbon.

Canada and Norway enjoy close commercial relations. Bilateral trade benefits from the Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement (C-EFTA), a goods-only trade agreement that entered into force in 2009. In 2024, bilateral merchandise trade was approximately CAD 3.1 billion. Additionally, Norway is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and part of the Schengen area.

Contact

For more information on CCS in Norway, contact Trade Commissioner, Tone Nymoen tone.nymoen@international.gc.ca. 

Additional Information

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