Dutch surveyor Fugro has been awarded a contract by Saipem to deliver integrated marine survey and inspection services for the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP), the UK's first CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure project, according to Splash247 Maritime.
Project Background and Partners
The NEP is an incorporated joint venture between BP, Equinor, and TotalEnergies. With access to up to 1bn tonnes of CO2 storage capacity beneath the North Sea, the programme aims to decarbonise some of the UK's most carbon-intensive industrial regions. Saipem is leading the EPCI (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation) part for the offshore pipeline and associated infrastructure.
Fugro's Survey Scope
Fugro will deliver nearshore and offshore survey and inspection operations to support pipeline installation, from landfall through to connection with existing offshore infrastructure. The nearshore works will focus on pre-lay surveys from the tunnel exit, extending several kilometres offshore, along with installation monitoring as the pipeline is pulled out to sea to confirm it is being laid as designed and to identify any unexpected seabed changes early.
Further offshore, Fugro will provide surveys, installation support, and verification along the pipeline route, including at third-party pipeline and cable crossings. According to Fugro, this source-to-seabed approach provides Saipem with consistent, reliable geo-data along the entire route, helping reduce installation risk and support efficient project delivery.
Key Companies and Roles
| Company | Role |
|---|---|
| Fugro | Integrated marine survey and inspection services |
| Saipem | EPCI contractor for offshore pipeline and infrastructure |
| BP | Joint venture partner in NEP |
| Equinor | Joint venture partner in NEP |
| TotalEnergies | Joint venture partner in NEP |
Industry Quote
"By working closely with Saipem across nearshore and offshore environments, from early surveys through to installation, we support informed decision‑making that helps Saipem manage risk across a technically complex route," said Mike Duncan, Fugro's director of marine asset integrity in Europe and Africa.
Significance for the Energy Transition
This contract marks a key step for the UK's first offshore CO2 storage project, positioning carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a critical tool for decarbonising industrial clusters. The NEP's capacity of up to 1bn tonnes underscores the scale required to meet net-zero targets. For the commodity and energy markets, such projects highlight growing investment in carbon management infrastructure, which could influence long-term demand for oil and gas services as the energy transition accelerates.
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