Porthos, a collaboration between the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Gasunie and Energie Bedrijf Nederland (EBN), is designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions from energy-intensive businesses in the port of Rotterdam. In combination with other measures, it will allow these businesses to cut their carbon emissions and contribute to a more sustainable Netherlands.
Porthos has a total capacity of around 37 million tonnes of CO₂, spread over a period of 15 years. In general terms, the project consists of four parts: an open access onshore pipeline through the port of Rotterdam to which businesses can connect, a compressor station on land, an offshore pipeline on the seabed and a CO₂ injection platform with a depleted natural gas field below.

The land pipeline of approximately 30 km follows the existing pipeline strip next to the A15 motorway, crosses the Botlek-Vondelingenplaat area and terminates on the Maasvlakte, a large industrial area on reclaimed land. ‘It is a complex area, with many existing pipeline networks, flood defences and waterways, roads and railways’, explains permit manager Jolanda Overbosch-De Graaf.
‘This demanded a structured and painstaking approach to the permit process. In total, more than 50 permits were issued for the construction of the onshore pipeline and the secondary works, such as valve stations. Intensive discussions with various competent authorities and carefully prepared documentation were required.’

To keep the project manageable, the route was divided into five sections. ‘The permitting and construction of each subsection gave unique challenges. For example, there were restricting factors such as the breeding seasons of specific bird species. We analysed this together with external experts, and in this case we also developed ecological mitigation measures. There were also other restricting factors, such as the storm season, which had to be coordinated with the competent authority.’

The collaboration with the client was an important aspect of this process. ‘Because Denys was involved early, we could analyse the details of the main permits and construction permits during the design phase. As a result of the appeal against the overarching project permits due to concerns about the nitrogen cycle, the permit requests for the onshore pipeline were delayed. Following the ruling on the appeal, these permits were rapidly applied for. This meant the construction phase could start quickly.’
The permit process was successfully completed and the pipeline and stations have now been constructed.