For the very first time, a French program will test the entire CO2 capture and storage process, from the CO2 emissions source (a boiler) to underground storage in a geological formation.

This project entails converting one of the five steam boilers of the Lacq field’s steam generating plant to an oxyfuel combustion unit, then capturing and compressing its CO2 emissions, transporting the gas via a 27-kilometer gas pipeline,  for injection into the nearly-depleted Rousse natural gas reservoir in the Lacq area, at a depth of 4,500 meters. The pilot plant, which will produce some 40 tonnes of steam per hour for use by the industries of the Lacq complex, will emit up to 150,000 tonnes of CO2 over a two-year period. The Rousse well will be subject to close monitoring, with detectors located throughout the surface and subsoil regions to measure the injection flow, pressure, temperature and concentration of the CO2.

The demonstrator unit is scheduled to start up in late 2008, after two years of studies and preparation. The project has three key objectives:

• to improve mastery of the oxyfuel combustion process, particularly with a view to applications in the production of extra-heavy oils,
• to halve the cost of carbon capture compared to existing processes,
• to develop monitoring methods and instruments to demonstrate on a larger scale the reliability and sustainability of long-term CO2 storage technology.
  
  The pilot will also contribute to the goal CO2 emissions-free power generation (Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plant) defined by the European Technology Platform, in which Total is a partner.

The success of this demonstration project also calls for a constructive dialogue with stakeholders, and will therefore be the focus of a preliminary consultation and outreach process.

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