Orcadian Energy Plc (LSE:ORCA) is stepping onto the global stage with a bold vision for the future of low-carbon power generation. In a recent appearance on The Watch List, CEO Steven A. Brown discussed the company’s latest milestone: the presentation of a pioneering offshore gas-to-power project at ADIPEC, one of the world’s largest energy conferences.

The project, developed alongside partners Independent Power Corporation (IPC) and the Marine Low Carbon Power Company, represents a significant step forward for Orcadian Energy Plc’s strategy to deliver clean, dispatchable power—something Brown calls “the holy grail” of the modern energy sector.

A New Approach to Offshore Gas and Carbon Capture

At the core of the ADIPEC showcase is Orcadian’s unusual southern North Sea gas field. While geologically strong and ideal for development, the field contains roughly 50% CO₂—meaning any viable development solution must actively manage carbon emissions.

Brown explained that the partnership’s proposed offshore platform integrates gas production, power generation, and full-cycle carbon capture:

• Gas is produced and partially separated from its high CO₂ content.
• The methane and remaining CO₂ are used to generate offshore power.
• All CO₂—both pre- and post-combustion—is captured and reinjected back into the reservoir.

This reinjection not only sequesters the CO₂ but also maintains reservoir pressure, improving gas recovery.

The result is a system capable of delivering “clean, dispatchable power”—a combination of reliability and low emissions that renewable sources or conventional fossil fuels alone cannot consistently provide.

From “Gas-to-Power” to “Gas-to-AI”

Orcadian’s ambition extends beyond simply generating electricity.

The company plans to transmit this low-carbon power through the grid bottleneck near Norwich, directly targeting the rapidly growing energy demands of data centre operators—particularly those powering artificial intelligence infrastructure.

“We call this not a gas-to-power strategy, but a gas-to-artificial intelligence strategy,” Brown said.

As AI workloads surge globally, reliable, low-carbon energy sources have become one of the most sought-after commodities. Orcadian Energy Plc’s project aims to position the company at the centre of this emerging demand.

Viscous Oil Assets Still Play a Role

Although the company is now gaining attention for its low-carbon gas strategy, Orcadian’s origins lie in its viscous oil portfolio.

The firm’s Pilot oil field—an 80-million-barrel recoverable discovery—remains a central asset. Orcadian holds an 18.75% stake in the project, fully carried by its partner Ping. Brown described this partnership model as ideal: secure a licence, design a strong development plan, bring in a capable partner, and be carried through to first oil or first gas.

Why Orcadian Acquired a Company With No Licences

In a strategic move last year, Orcadian acquired Halo, a company with no existing licences. At first glance this might seem puzzling—but Brown highlighted a hidden value.

Halo brought:

• High-quality historical data on the Pegasus and Andromeda gas fields
• A fiscal history that provides significant tax and financial advantages when combined with producing assets

This fiscal benefit, rather than the assets themselves, drove the acquisition. Orcadian now aims to crystallise this value by pairing Halo’s fiscal position with new producing fields.

Looking Ahead

Orcadian Energy Plc’s recent visibility at ADIPEC signals a growing international profile and a shift toward innovative, low-carbon solutions that serve the rapidly expanding AI and data centre markets.

As Brown summarised, the company is actively working to unlock both environmental and shareholder value across its evolving portfolio.

For more information on Orcadian Energy Plc’s low-carbon initiatives, visit orcadian.energy.

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