CO2 Capture Project
Total S.A.
08 February 2007
Total launches the first integrated CO2 capture and geological sequestration
project in a depleted natural gas field
Paris, February 8, 2007 - Total announces the launch of a pilot CO2 capture and
sequestration project in the Lacq basin in southwestern France. The project,
which leverages a technique considered among the most promising in the fight
against climate change, calls for up to 150,000 metric tons of CO2 to be
injected into a depleted natural gas field in Rousse (Pyrenees) over a period of
two years as from end-2008.
'This project will demonstrate the role that CO2 capture and sequestration can
play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from industrial installations,' notes
Christophe de Margerie, President Exploration & Production of Total.
'It represents the first integrated CO2 capture system using oxy-fuel combustion
combined with storage in a depleted hydrocarbon field.'
The first link in the chain is a steam production unit at the Lacq gas
processing plant. Oxygen will be used for combustion rather than air to obtain a
more concentrated CO2 stream that will be easier to capture. Once purified, the
CO2 will be compressed and conveyed via pipeline to the depleted Rousse field,
30 kilometres from Lacq, where it will be injected through an existing well into
a rock formation 4,500 metres under ground.
Following preliminary studies in 2006, the Rousse field was selected for its
geological structure, which gave the best guarantee of sustainable storage.
Total has just launched the engineering study phase. CO2 injection is scheduled
to begin in November 2008.
The project, which will cost nearly 60 million euros, will be carried out in
partnership with Air Liquide and in cooperation with the French Petroleum
Institute (IFP), the French Bureau of Geological and Mining Research (BRGM)
and others.
Over the past ten years, Total has participated in several CO2 sequestration
projects, notably in saline aquifers at North Sea oil production sites. The
capture and sequestration of CO2 provides yet another way of reducing greenhouse
gas emissions alongside programs already deployed by the Group to develop
renewable energy sources, reduce flaring of associated gas and make production
facilities more energy efficient.
******
Total is one of the world's major oil and gas groups, with activities in more
than 130 countries. Its 95,000 employees put their expertise to work in every
part of the industry - exploration and production of oil and natural gas,
refining and marketing, gas trading and electricity. Total is working to keep
the world supplied with energy, both today and tomorrow. The Group is also a
first rank player in chemicals. www.total.com
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