Researchers from Heriot-Watt University have unveiled plans to help seal 100,000 methane-leaking wells within the next decade, potentially preventing millions of tonnes of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Edinburgh-based Rockit, a cleantech initiative from Heriot-Watt University, will use new chemical injection technology to infiltrate the smallest pores and cracks where existing methods fall short, offering a more effective sealing method for both shallow onshore and deeper offshore wells. 

It’s predicted that Rockit’s technique will lock toxic greenhouse gases underground for thousands of years, helping to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

The technology has potentially broad applications, including enabling safe carbon and large-scale hydrogen storage. Rockit’s fully functional prototype has already been validated under lab conditions and granted an accelerated patent via the UK Government’s Green Channel.  

The company has been accepted into Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout programme, with Rockit securing £75,000 in funding to elevate its solution, and the project’s progress has been recognised internationally too, exhibiting at the CleanTech Hub during COP28 in Dubai, where the founder discussed its technology with King Charles III.

Leah Pape, head of high growth services at Scottish Enterprise, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Rockit into our High Growth Spinout Programme. The project is at the earliest stage of its scaling journey, but we’re confident that it can fully commercialise its cutting-edge research with our support and encouragement.”

The project is part of Heriot-Watt University’s iNetZ+ initiative, which looks to address the climate crisis by partnering with communities, governments, and industrial partners to deliver market ready solutions. 

Expert advisors are also joining the team. Mark Zwinderman, CEO of clean tech company SAS Environmental Services, and Laurence Ormerod, an experienced ex-VP of Weatherford International, will help push the initiative forward.

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Dr Oleg Ishkov, a lead researcher at Heriot-Watt University’s school of energy, geoscience, infrastructure and society, said: “Using existing methods, research suggests it would take over 300 years to plug millions of at-risk wells on the planet. 

“Our technology offers a radical new solution by transforming porous rocks into impermeable barriers, locking harmful gases underground for millennia. With Scottish Enterprise’s funding, we’re now poised to advance our research.” 

Scottish businesses are increasingly looking for ways to harness climate-technology and accelerate the transition to net zero. Last week, it was reported that a new venture-studio in Aberdeen is being launched to repurpose promising climate technology firms, and invest in early-stage enterprises that are tackling the climate crisis.