Energy-focused global engineering and technology company Aker Solutions announced a new agreement with Microsoft, with the companies collaborating to advance the maturity, bankability and delivery of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects globally.

Under the new agreement, Aker said that it aims to engage with developers, emitters, transport and storage providers, industry stakeholders and governments to support project development, reduce execution risk, strengthen investment readiness, including potential CDR credits, and accelerate progress towards final investment decisions (FID). The companies said that the collaboration will combine Microsoft’s expertise in digital technologies, data, AI, monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV), and carbon markets with Aker’s advisory services and end-to-end engineering, procurement, and construction capabilities.

Aker Solutions CEO Kjetel Digre said:

“Many carbon capture and removal projects face similar challenges as they move from concept to reality. As the market matures, success will depend on strong collaboration across the value chain. Joining forces with Microsoft, we aim to help project developers navigate complexity, strengthen business cases, and support the next wave of CCS and CDR projects.”

The companies said that as selected CCS and CDR projects progress towards FID, Aker and Microsoft will provide integrated engineering and execution support, offering developers a single pathway from early-stage feasibility through to operations.

Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President, Energy and Resources at Microsoft, added:

“Microsoft supports collaborations that look holistically across the entire value chain, connecting physical infrastructure with trusted data, AI and digital MRV to help projects reduce risk, and move from ambition to execution. We are working with Aker Solutions to bring these complementary capabilities together and help accelerate credible CCS and carbon removal projects globally.”