Published 16 February 2026

Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ) is an ambitious decarbonisation initiative that will transform the depleted South and North Morecambe gas fields, located off the coast of Barrow in Furness, into a permanent, safe, and secure carbon storage facility. As a nationally significant clean energy hub, MNZ will support the UK’s transition to Net Zero by enabling large scale carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), a process that captures CO₂ from industrial emitters, transports it via pipeline, ship, or rail, and stores it deep underground to prevent atmospheric release.

Together, the Morecambe reservoirs represent one of Europe’s largest potential carbon storage opportunities. The project will be delivered in multiple phases, with the initial phase centred around a pipeline based Transportation and Storage solution.

Spirit Energy

To progress early design activity, Aker Solutions were appointed by Spirit Energy (SE) to undertake Pre‑FEED works and subsequently engaged Stockton Drilling Ltd (SDL) to deliver a feasibility study for cable and pipeline landfalls at the proposed locations in Barrow‑in‑Furness and The Wirral. Our geotechnical team were appointed by SDL to deliver a comprehensive landfall feasibility study for both sites.

Our services included site walkover surveys, geological assessments, and ground modelling using desk study and ground investigation data. We produced 3D landfall designs integrating onshore topographic and offshore bathymetric datasets. We developed a geotechnical risk register outlining key risks and mitigation measures, and completed an engineering appraisal comparing open‑cut and trenchless installation methods. This informed a technical options appraisal, detailed feasibility report, and outline design drawings.

Through this work, we provided Spirit Energy and project partners with a robust, evidence‑based route to progress MNZ’s landfall strategy, supporting one of the UK’s most strategically important carbon storage developments.