Sasol and Gassnova SF sign MoU on participation in Norwegian CO2 Technology Centre in Mongstad

 
Sasol and Gassnova SF, a Norwegian state-owned enterprise responsible for managing governmental interests related to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Union Buildings in Pretoria that will enable Sasol to explore the possibility of becoming a participant in the European CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) currently under construction in Norway.
 
The signing of the MoU by Sasol CE, Pat Davies and Bjørn-Erik Haugan, CEO of Gassnova SF and chairman of TCM DA, took place in the presence of South African President, Jacob Zuma and visiting Norwegian monarchs, King Harald V and Queen Sonja, during their state visit to South Africa.
 
TCM is a unique international technology cooperation, established to test, verify and demonstrate technology suitable for deployment at large scale CO2- capture facilities. The current TCM partners are Gassnova SF, A/S Norske Shell and Statoil ASA, with Gassnova SF representing the Norwegian State in the project.
 
The technology centre is currently under construction at Mongstad on the west coast of Norway and will be in operation by the end of 2011. The test facilities are planned to capture 100 000 tons of CO2 per annum.
 
Sasol is proud that South Africa will soon be represented amongst the world's leading nations in the fight against climate change. "The signing of this MoU is an important development that will support our commitment to reducing the company's Green House Gas emissions," Davies said.
 
"Sasol will continue to contribute to South Africa's fuel security through its coal-to-liquid fuel technology for some time to come and while there is no single solution to the reduction of GHG emissions, we participate in a number of initiatives such as TCM, to find the optimum mix of solutions. We have set targets to reduce our carbon footprint and, through sound partnerships with the best minds from across the globe, we will produce innovative solutions," Davies said.
 
Sasol aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 15% by 2020 (based on 2005 as baseline) as well as lower targets at the absolute level for new CTL projects (30% down by 2030 on a 2005 baseline).
 
"We are very pleased that Sasol, one of the founding members of the South African Carbon Capture and Storage Center, will participate in the testing of CO2 capture technologies at the technology center," said Bjørn-Erik Haugan.
 
"One of TCM's main ambitions is to develop CO2 capture technologies capable of wide national and international deployment. It is therefore a significant step to have a solutions-driven company with Sasol's extensive technical experience as a partner in the venture," added Haugan.
 
-Ends-
 
Issued by Sasol and Gassnova SF. For further information, please contact:
 
Sasol
Jacqui O'Sullivan, Group Communication Manager
Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3252 | Mobile +27 82 883 9697
jacqui.osullivan@sasol.com
 
Nothemba Noruwana, Group media manager
Direct telephone +27 11 441 3295 | Mobile +27 82 329 0186
nothemba.noruwana@sasol.com
 
Gassnova 
Bjørn-Erik Haugan, CEO
Telephone +47 905 53 394 | beh@gassnova.no
 
TCM 
Tore Amundsen, Managing Director
Telephone +47 900 51 222 | tam@tcmda.no