Energy majors, including ExxonMobil, Air Liquide, Borealis, Esso S.A.F., TotalEnergies and Yara International; are teaming up to explore the developments of CO2 infrastructure, in order to help decarbonize the industrial basin of Normandy, France.
Firstly, the companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the objective to explore different pathways for Normandy’s decarbonization; such as carbon capture. The main objective is to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 3 million tons per year by 2030, which is equivalent to the emissions of more than 1 million passenger cars.
Secondly, the first phase of the initiative will consist in studying the economic and technical feasibility of the project; to do that, the partnership will seek funding from European, French and Regional schemes. The partnership is also open to other energy or industrial parties.
Thirdly, the energy companies involved in the MoU will also collaborate in the assessment of the technical and economic feasibility of implementing an industrial CO2 capture and storage (CCS) chain; from their industrial facilities to ultimate storage in the North Sea.
Moreover, the ability of industrial players and energy companies in Normandy to reduce their CO2 emissions; will be key for the meeting of the climate change related goals that France has a whole. In addition, several of these companies have already started to implement technologies to decarbonize themselves.
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Energy majors to deploy and expand their technologies in France to push the initiative
About such matters, François Jackow, executive VP of Air Liquide, said. “Since 2015 Air Liquide has successfully implemented CryocapTM in its plant in Port Jérôme, Normandy; an innovative proprietary CO2 capture and liquefaction technology, which allows to capture up to 90% of CO2 emissions.”
He also remarked. “This wider initiative illustrates how industrial players can mobilize to decarbonize key industrial basins and contribute to the fight against global warming.”
On the other hand, Leo Alders, chief operating officer of Borealis Fertilizer, said. “It is our responsibility to society to seek for and engage in solutions for climate challenges. At the same time the project is an innovative and collaborative approach across the leading regional industries, creating new value chains.”
Finally, Charles Amyot, CEO of Esso and president of ExxonMobil activities in France, said. “ExxonMobil has more than 30 years of experience in CCS technology and is advancing plans for more than 20 new CCS opportunities around the world. We are pleased to collaborate on a joint study to assess the feasibility of the deployment of CCS in the Axe Seine / Normandy area; one of the most important technologies required to achieve society’s climate goals.”
