Aberdeen-based Amplus Energy Services Ltd has announced its entry into carbon capture with a multi-million-pound investment in a leading Norwegian company which will create a new UK business in the growing sector.

Amplus Energy is investing a seven-figure sum in innovative carbon capture company Carbon Circle AS of Norway and will support the establishment and operation of new company Carbon Circle UK Limited, based in Aberdeen.

The alignment will initially create a select number of employment opportunities in Aberdeen, with an increase in head count expected during the first year of operations. This will support Carbon Circle UK’s significant ambitions of becoming a major energy transition employer in the Granite City. Amplus Energy General Manager Steve Gardyne will lead Carbon Circle UK, fully supported by a senior team of carbon capture specialists from Norway. Further senior Carbon Circle UK personnel are currently being recruited.

The strategic investment by Amplus Energy reflects the importance the company places on growth of the emerging carbon capture market to the UK and the significant impact it will have on the UK Government’s net zero ambitions. The expansion into the carbon capture industry will further enhance Amplus Energy’s existing field development and floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) operations.

Carbon Circle AS is already established in the Norwegian and Canadian carbon capture sectors and has been eager to expand into the UK’s onshore and offshore carbon capture market. Carbon Circle UK is currently working on front end engineering and design (FEED) studies for the decarbonisation of two major industrial sites in the UK. These projects will have a positive impact on the UK Government’s net zero ambitions.

Amplus Energy personnel will work closely with the existing Carbon Circle team to support the projects and the UK’s energy transition plans. Amplus Energy’s deep domain knowledge and wide-ranging contacts within the UK energy industry will add significant support to the growth of Carbon Circle UK.

Amplus Managing Director Ian Herd said: “We are excited by this opportunity to participate within the Energy Transition in the UK through bringing our client focused, innovative approach to project delivery coupled with the ‘best-in-class’ domain knowledge and significant EPC experience already assembled within Carbon Circle. The creation of Carbon Circle UK brings a new, innovative Carbon Capture EPC partner into a UK market with huge potential.”

Aslak Hjelde, CEO of Carbon Circle, said: “We are excited by our partnership with Amplus Energy, a collaboration set to enhance the growth and innovation of the carbon capture sector in the UK. The UK Government’s significant commitment of £20 billion to Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a testament to the strategic importance of CCS technologies in achieving national net-zero ambitions. With the support and expertise of Amplus Energy, Carbon Circle is ready to be a major contributor in the UK’s carbon capture sector.”