The MoU will enable Sasol to explore the possibility of becoming a stakeholder in the European CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM). The Norwegian government, through the state-owned entity Gassnova SF, has a 77.56 % interest in the TCM. Other partners are A/S Norske Shell and Statoil ASA. As indicated by the MoU, Sasol’s participation in the project will be through Gassnova SF.
The TCM is an international technological cooperation aiming to test, verify and demonstrate large scale CO2 capture. It is currently under construction at Mongstad on the west coast of Norway and will be in operation by the end of 2011. When fully operational, the facilities plans to capture 100 000 tons of CO2 per annum. Capturing and storing CO2 is seen as a promising possible transitional measure for reducing the CO2 emissions that are contributing to global climate change. In addition to investment in the development of CO2 capture technology, the partnership will also include rotation and training of personnel, which will directly enhance South Africa’s own skills-base within this field.