Electrical CO₂ Enabler (ECE)

CO₂-capable drilling for offshore CCS

ECE is a modular route to CO₂ well-control readiness

ECE (Electrical CO₂ Enabler) is a deployable, rig-agnostic well-control solution developed for offshore CCS. Rather than permanently converting a rig, ECE brings CO₂ capability where it’s needed – across rigs, campaigns, and projects.

As offshore CCS moves into operations, drilling requirements evolve

Injection is only the beginning. As storage sites mature, operators need to re-enter CO₂ reservoirs for workovers, infill drilling, and well-control response. Most offshore drilling systems were never designed for sustained CO₂ exposure.

Offshore CCS is scaling rapidly

734

CCS facilities are in development worldwide.

Billions

of tons of annual CO₂ storage are projected by 2050.

~1/3

of planned global storage capacity is offshore.

Three scenarios that expose legacy well-control equipment to CO₂

CO₂ exposure happens in three typical operational scenarios. Each creates conditions that existing rig well-control packages weren’t specified around.

1. PLANNED

Workovers and interventions

Re-entering or maintaining existing CO₂ injection wells.
Defined by CO₂ concentration, phase behavior, and exposure duration.

A planned activity that still requires CO₂-rated well control on standby.

2. DEVELOPMENT

Infill drilling and new injection wells

Drilling into reservoirs where CO₂ may already be present.
Multiphase flow and corrosion considerations apply from first contact.

Standard rig packages weren’t specified for this exposure case.

3. UNPLANNED

Relief wells and well-control response

Circulating out influx or managing unplanned CO₂ exposure.
Covers both dynamic circulation and static hold scenarios.

The scenario with the least planning lead time.

ECE manages CO₂ before it reaches the rig

ECE (Electrical CO₂ Enabler) is a modular CO₂ well-control system developed to manage CO₂ upstream of legacy well-control equipment.

Instead of permanently converting individual rigs, ECE provides deployable CO₂ capability that can move across suitable rigs and campaigns as operational needs evolve.

See how the system works, and how it can fit your CCS program.

Download the Participation Deck

CO₂ capability without permanent rig conversion

CO₂ drilling readiness no longer requires permanent rig conversion. Permanent upgrades and ECE follow fundamentally different deployment models – with different costs, downtime, and operational flexibility.

Permanent rig conversion

~$22–34M

Estimated deployment cost

30-120 days

Estimated rig downtime

Single rig commitment

Capability locked to one hull

Repeated per rig

Each new rig requires a new upgrade

CO₂ risk distributed across rig systems

Each new rig requires a new upgrade

Modular ECE approach

~$18M

Estimated initial deployment

0 days

Estimated rig downtime

Portable/shared

Capability moves across rigs or programs

Repeat-unit model

Reduced future expansion cost

CO₂ risk

CO₂ managed before it reaches legacy equipment

Plan CO₂ capability across your drilling program, not one converted rig at a time.
Download the Participation Deck to explore the full deployment model.

Download the Participation Deck

ECE is a structured process, validated with DNV

Noble has been advancing CO₂ qualification work with DNV, using DNV-RP-A203 to assess CO₂-specific operational risks, failure modes, and mitigation requirements. The 2027 program focuses on the ECE subsystems that determine materials performance, flow handling, pressure containment, and operating philosophy.

Step 1

Assess
CO₂-specific risks, exposure cases, and operating scenarios.

Step 2

Qualify
testing, simulations, studies, and mitigation work.

Step 3

Advance
ECE subsystem validation through  the 2027 program.

2027 workstreams

System architecture — operating philosophy and scenario analysis

Materials and qualification — metallic qualification and corrosion testing

Flow handling and surface systems — degassing systems and choke management

High-pressure containment — containment strategy and equipment interfaces

Bring your CCS roadmap into the 2027 validation program

ECE has moved from concept to engineering. The next step is validating the solution against real CCS programs, giving participating operators the opportunity to help shape validation priorities, deployment requirements, and commercial structures.

Talk to Noble