The Road to Longship
Norway’s work on CO2 management began to take shape in the early 2000s. In 2001, a government-appointed committee was tasked with assessing how research and development could support environmentally sound uses of natural gas. The committee proposed establishing a dedicated technology company. “The Bondevik II” Government followed up by making gas-fired power generation with CO2 management a central element of energy policy. Subsequently, White Paper No. 9 (2002–2003) recommended the establishment of a state-owned innovation entity for environmental technology.
Financing and organisational structure
In 2004, The Norwegian Parliament established the Gas Technology Fund, which from 2005 financed research and development activities. The fund later became part of the CO2 Management Fund, administered by Gassnova following the establishment of the enterprise in 2005. Together with the Research Council of Norway, Gassnova was given responsibility for the CLIMIT programme, which was approved under the EEA framework in 2006. This initiative was partly a response to the political debate on gas-fired power plants in the 1990s, which highlighted the need for technology if natural gas were to be used without increasing emissions.
Gassnova as a state-owned enterprise
In 2007, Gassnova was converted into a state-owned enterprise, providing more stable frameworks and improved conditions for long-term efforts. At the same time, costs, technological maturity, and potential health and environmental challenges related to amine-based capture processes became part of the public debate. During this period, the CLIMIT programme developed into a key instrument for competence building, cost reduction, and the development of a broad research and industrial ecosystem.
Mongstad as a technological learning arena
The Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) opened in 2012, enabling testing of capture technologies under realistic conditions and reducing technological uncertainty. TCM also strengthened international cooperation, particularly with the United States, and became a central element of the knowledge base that later enabled a full-scale demonstration project.
Towards the need for a full value chain
Approaching 2020, it became clear that a demonstration project was lacking that could showcase the entire value chain from capture to storage. International climate commitments, the need for industrial transformation, and a growing European market for storage made a comprehensive project necessary. After many years of research, testing, and assessments, the foundation was in place for full-scale implementation.
The decision to establish Longship in 2020
In 2020, The Norwegian Parliament decided to establish Longship, Norway’s first full-scale CCS project. It comprises capture at Brevik CCS and Oslo CCS, with transport and storage through Northern Lights. The project builds on experience from CLIMIT and TCM and represents a breakthrough in Norway’s work on CO2 management. It has significant international value, both as a technological demonstration and as a model for commercial CCS solutions.
Foundational pillars
CLIMIT and TCM continue to play central roles in technology development. In 2025, CLIMIT was reorganised to streamline decision-making processes. Through adjusted ownership shares, TCM has continued its role as a global test arena. Experience shows that long-term commitment, transparency, and continuous technology development have been decisive in realising Longship.
The way forward
With infrastructure in operation and growing interest from European emission sources, Norway has established a platform for further industrial development and international cooperation. History demonstrates that the combined efforts of research, industry, public authorities, and political decision-making have been decisive in reaching the Longship decision – and in putting the value chain now in operation into place.
