Orcadian starts assessment for Earlham and Orwell gas fields with carbon capture and offshore data centre in UK North Sea

Orcadian Energy has started the assessment phase for its Earlham and Orwell gas fields in the UK North Sea, with a plan to build an offshore power station that captures carbon dioxide and reinjects it into the reservoir. The low-carbon power would supply a 200 MW data centre located on a separate platform, avoiding grid connection and reducing scope 3 emissions by over 90% compared to conventional gas development. The company estimates 114 bcf of methane at Earlham and 31 bcf at Orwell, with high CO2 content making pipeline export uneconomical. By generating power offshore and capturing CO2 for enhanced gas recovery, Orcadian aims to monetise the resource without government subsidy. The project could scale to over a gigawatt, but requires regulatory approvals from the NSTA and other bodies.