Northern Endurance Partnership awards pipelay contract to Saipem for UK carbon storage pipeline
Type: Supply Agreement · Technology: Transmission · Country: United Kingdom · Announced: 2026-09-02
Saipem SpA’s pipelay vessel Castorone, one of the world’s largest at 325 meters, arrived in the Southern North Sea on September 2, 2026, to begin laying a 136km pipeline for the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP). The pipeline will connect industrial emitters on Teesside and the Humber to the Endurance storage site beneath the North Sea, enabling the permanent storage of captured CO₂. During the offshore campaign, Castorone will use nearly 3,000 tonnes of marine biofuel to reduce emissions associated with construction activities. Sonardyne’s environmental monitoring technology will be deployed to gather seabed data and verify the long-term safety of the carbon storage site. Rich Denny, Managing Director at NEP, highlighted the project’s role in supporting jobs, attracting investment, and advancing the UK’s net-zero goals.
Analysis
Saipem SpA was awarded a pipelay contract by the Northern Endurance Partnership to install a 136km carbon‑storage pipeline in the Southern North Sea, with the contract announced on 2 September 2026. The developer, Neptun Werft, is a German shipbuilder based in Rostock that has operated for 175 years and specializes in river cruise vessels. Saipem, headquartered in Milan, employs more than 30,000 staff across over 50 countries and provides EPCI services for oil & gas, offshore wind and CCUS projects. Saipem’s 325‑metre Castorone vessel arrived on 2 September 2026 and will use approximately 3,000 tonnes of marine biofuel during the offshore campaign, while Sonardyne’s environmental monitoring technology will be deployed to collect seabed data. The agreement does not disclose a financial value and no contract length or financing structure was provided.
Key points
- Saipem awarded pipelay contract for 136km CO₂ pipeline (2 Sep 2026)
- Castorone vessel length 325 m, arrived 2 Sep 2026
- Neptun Werft founded 175 years ago, based in Rostock
- Saipem employs >30,000 staff in >50 countries
- Marine biofuel consumption estimated at 3,000 tonnes
Counterparties
- Saipem (Supplier)
- Neptun Werft (Developer)
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