DNV certifies ADNOC's West Aquifer CO₂ storage site at endorsement stage

DNV today announced that ADNOC has been awarded a CO₂ Storage Certificate at the Site Endorsement stage for its West Aquifer CO₂ storage development, marking a significant milestone for the United Arab Emirates and the wider region in advancing large scale carbon capture and storage (CCS).

The certification, conducted in accordance with ISO 27914:2017 – Carbon dioxide capture, transportation and geological storage — Geological storage, recognizes that ADNOC has demonstrated the necessary subsurface characterization, reservoir understanding, containment assessment, and risk management framework required to progress the project to its next phase.

DNV and ADNOC
  Pictured, from left to right: Mr. Brice Le Gallo, Vice President and Regional Director for Southern Europe, MEA & LATAM, Energy Systems at DNV, and Ms. Ayesha Abdul Rahman Al Marzouqi, Senior Vice President, EOR/CCUS & Water Management ADNOC - Upstream 


DNV’s verification process assessed ADNOC’s geological modelling, monitoring plans, conformance demonstration approach, and long-term storage strategy for the West Aquifer. Achieving endorsement at this stage provides confidence in the site’s suitability for safe and permanent CO₂ storage and supports ADNOC’s broader decarbonization strategy.

Commenting on the achievement, Brice Le Gallo, Vice President and Regional Director for Southern Europe, MEA & LATAM, Energy Systems at DNV, said: “This certification is a pivotal step for ADNOC and an important moment for CCS deployment across the region. The West Aquifer site has the potential to become one of the anchors for large scale CCS deployment in the Middle East, helping industries to decarbonize in a safe, credible, and internationally recognized way. By meeting the stringent requirements of ISO 27914 at the site endorsement stage, ADNOC is demonstrating leadership, transparency, and a commitment to building the confidence needed for accelerated CCS investment across the region.”
 
DNV’s recently published Oil and gas decarbonization in the Gulf region report highlights that CCS is central to decarbonizing industry, oil and gas, and enabling low-carbon blue hydrogen in the gulf region. Certification to international standards such as ISO 27914 assures stakeholders that CO₂ storage sites have undergone a rigorous, evidence based review, whilst helping developers manage early stage risks and avoid costly design flaws. 
 
DNV has supported CCS project development for over two decades through standards, recommended practices, assurance services, and research designed to enhance safety, reliability, and investor confidence in subsurface CO₂ storage.

 

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