Feed back from the Lacq industrial CCS project (France)

Introduction The Lacq CCS project is an integrated CO2 capture transport and storage project in operation since end of 2009 beginning 2010. The capture part of the project takes place in the industrial complex of Lacq, a town located in the South West of France in the PyrnesAtlantiques department in the Aquitaine Region, and the storage at Juranon, 30 km away from Lacq and 5 km South of the city of Pau. The project is the first french industrial scale operation that will test during 2 years and demonstrate an entire CO2 capture and storage process, from the CO2 emissions source (an oxyboiler) to an underground storage in an onshore depleted gas field. Main objectives of the project and general design: The project has three key objectives: Demonstrate the technical feasibility and reliability of an integrated CO2 capture, transportation, injection and storage onshore scheme for steam production at an industrial scale To develop and operate at a 30MW scale an oxycombustion boiler for CO2 capture, particularly with a view to applications in the production of extra-heavy oils, and with the targets of a o 50% improvement of CO2 capture energy efficiency o 50% reduction of capture cost compared to classical post capture technologies with amine Develop and apply geological storage qualification methodologies, monitoring and verification techniques on a real operational case to prepare future larger scale long term storage projects

CO2 Capture

CO2 transport and injection

CO2 storage

The project will capture 60'000 t/year of CO2 for 2 years from one of the existing industrial boilers, designed to produce steam and power for the Lacq industrial complex, by implementing a technology called oxycombustion. With this technology, instead of burning gas and air, an "oxyboiler" will burn gas and oxygen: therefore the flue gas that will not go anymore to the atmosphere will be highly concentrated in CO2. The CO2 will be then easier to capture. After some classical gas treatment to remove dust and water, the CO2 will be compressed and routed to an injection well via a gas pipeline used for decades to bring raw gas to the Lacq gas treatment plant.

CO2 will be then injected, after a second compression stage, to a depleted gas field that has been producing gas for 40 years. The deep porous gas reservoir at a depth of 4500m has trapped gas for millions of years under a very efficient 2000m thick caprock and has been produced with a single well. The CO2 injected will be then securely trapped for long term storage with a specific monitoring program to ensure that there is leakage outside the reservoir and no impact of the project to the environment. The project will demonstrate that this technology can be applied onshore within existing industrial facilities, can be operated securely and with a high level of transparency and dialogue with all the stakeholders. Technical aspects Total launched end 2006 the integrated CO2 Capture Storage project in the South-West of France. It entails the conversion of a steam boiler into an oxy-fuel combustion unit, oxygen being used for combustion rather than air to obtain a more concentrated CO2 stream easier to capture. The pilot plant, which will produce some 40 t/h of steam for use other facilities, will emit up to 120,000 tons of CO2 over a 2-year period at the Lacq existing facilities. Then the CO2 will be treated, compressed and conveyed via pipeline to the depleted gas field named Rousse, 30 kilometers away, where to be injected into a deep carbonate reservoir as shown on Figure 1.

Carbon capture & geological storage in Lacq region

CO2 injection CO2 transportation CO2 capture
Compression CO2 injection 9 8 CO2 Transportation Commercial gas

Gas production

Utilities
7 Boiler oxycombustion Steam 4 4500 m 5 Natural gas

Lacq
gas power plant

CO2 storage

Purification / CO2 dehydration Compression

10

6 CO2

Oxygen Production Unit

Natural gas inlet

Rousse reservoir

Lacq gas production 4000 m

Lacq deep gas reservoir

Total Figure 1: Lacq CO2 pilot general scheme

1. Capture facilities Within the existing Lacq gas treatment complex, an existing boiler built in 1957 within the utilities facilities will be converted into an oxyboiler, oxygen replacing air for the combustion of commercial gas. The 30MWth oxyboiler will produce 40t/h of high pressure steam (60 bar and 450C) that will be used as heating medium or power generation within the complex (Figure 2). The plant will be fully integrated in the existing facilities and it is designed as to comply with the safety standards of TOTAL Exploration & Production. AIR LIQUIDE is supplying the ASU, oxyburners and the Flue Gas Dryer.

Natural Gas 4 oxyburners Air N2

Water STEAM 40t/h 60bar 450C

Utilities
Dehydration

CO2 > 85%

30 km

Boiler
Cooling Compression 27 bar

Compression 50 bar

Well

ASU
O2 >95%

Flue Gas Recycle

Water

Depleted Gas Reservoir

LACQ

ROUSSE

Figure 2: Simplified Process Scheme of the CCS pilot Air separation unit A new dedicated ASU is being installed, within the gas treatment complex, to produce 240t/day of low pressure oxygen (1.8 bara) at a purity designed to vary from 95% to 99.5%vol. The influence of oxygen purity on combustion parameters will be evaluated in order to optimise future larger scale applications. Nitrogen rejected by the Air Separation Unit will be partially used for CO2 dehydration unit regeneration. The main parts of the ASU are: Air compression. Compressed air regenerative purification (retaining by adsorption of water, CO2, hydrocarbons, NOx, etc.) High performance heat exchanger for energy optimization. Cold production through an expansion turbine. Air distillation columns inside a cold box. Oxyburners The four existing air-fired burners will be replaced by four 8 MW oxyburners developed by AIR LIQUIDE specifically for oxy-combustion in boilers. They integrate flue gas recycle and are flexible towards gas and/or heavy fuel burning. This oxy-burner concept is specially designed to manage heat flux transfer inside the combustion chamber, allowing the use of usual materials for construction, and adapting the combustion characteristics to conventional heat exchanger design. Specific developments have been realized at a 1 MWth oxy-combustion cold-wall test rig (located at CRCD, France), incorporating flue gas recycle at a variable rate. This rig, originally built to expand scientific knowledge on oxygen flames, has definitely contributed to the design of this industrial oxyburner. It is equipped for combustion monitoring through multiple ports, heat transfer profile measurement, temperature mapping, flue gas composition, emission control...

Extensive tests have been performed on a downscaled 1 MWth burner, confirming at small scale the performances of the oxy-burner concept: Fuel flexibility for gas and liquid fuels, Adjustable flame length, Adjustable flue gas recycle rate, Air mode for transient operation (start-up, heat-up and safety fall-back mode) Important turndown ratio Oxyflame stability and complete combustion at every operating condition. Moreover, an operating mode for the oxy-burner has been defined, including the valuable input from the boiler operation team at Lacq, and it has been successfully rehearsed at this small scale. The four 8 MW oxy-burners are being now manufactured, and are to be soon integrated to the existing boiler and taking into account geometrical and architectural constraints, existing operating procedures and every safety requirement. Boiler and CO2 drying The existing air-fired boiler has been adapted to the oxy-combustion, mainly by improving sealing to limit air in-leakage and by implementing a flue gas recycle duct and a fan, through which flue gas will be partially recycled to the inlet of the oxy-burners to dilute the oxygen flames. The flue gas recirculation rate will be also a parameter that will be tested during operation. The flue gas leaving the boiler at approximately 220C will be cooled down, most water will be the removed by condensation. Then, a low water dew point will be achieved by a regenerative TSA (Temperature Swing Adsorption) dryer unit in order to avoid any condensation in the transportation system (50ppm water content to be achieved). The flue gas composition at the inlet of pipe transportation will contain mainly CO2, residual nitrogen and argon depending on oxygen purity, NOx and excess oxygen as shown in the table 1.

O2 purity CO2 CO H2O NOx N2 O2 Ar

95% 86,46 0,03 0,01 0,16 3,58 4 5,76

98% 91,87 0,03 0,01 0,02 0,5 4 3,57

99,5% 94,67 0,03 0,01 0,01 0,33 4 0,95

Table 1 : Calculated composition (%vol) in CO2 streams to be injected vs O2 purity (oxycombustion of natural gas)

1.1. Transportation and injection CO2 will be transported via a 30km long existing pipeline (12" and 8" diameters) at 30 barg in gas phase before being recompressed at the wellhead for injection into the Rousse gas depleted Mano reservoir. As far as the transportation and the injection are concerned, there is no need to remove excess oxygen, nitrogen and argon. The consequences of the CO2 composition are then investigated within the subsurface studies to evaluate their impact on the reservoir. CO2 will be injected by an existing well, Rousse #1, that was used to produce wet sour gas since 1972. Rousse #1, selected after cement and corrosion logging that took place end 2006, will be converted into an injector. A work over has been performed in March 2009 for the well conversion and the installation of the monitoring equipment. 2. Injection into the depleted Upper Jurassic Mano reservoir of the Rousse gas field 2.1. Rousse structure Rousse depleted field is a deep isolated Jurassic horst that was structured during the Early Cretaceous N-S extension phase of the pre-pyrenean rifting (Figure 3). It is drapped and overlaid by a very thick Campanian to Eocene series of marls, shales and silts, namely Flysch, deposited within the Pyrenean foredeep basin. The column ends with Neogene continental post-orogenic Molasses that outcrop in the vicinity of the Rousse site. The gas field have been drilled and produced by only two wells: Rousse #1 and #3. It consists of two superimposed but dynamically disconnected Jurassic reservoir: the upper Mano Dolomite that have been drilled and produced only by well # 1 and where CO2 will be injected, and the lower Meillon Dolomite still produced by well #3. Mano reservoir is completely eroded by the Base Cretaceous Unconformity between Rousse #1 and #3. The Mano reservoir is a fractured dolomitic reservoir lying at around 4500m below ground level (-4200 m below MSL). It is 120 m thick, 70 m of which have been cored. The Cretaceous cap rock has been also partly cored. The Initial reservoir pressure was 485barg at 4500m. Discovered in 1967, producing since 1972, the field is now largely depleted with, for Mano reservoir, an average down hole pressure of 30barg. The average downhole temperature is 150C. The initial gas in place contained 4.6% of CO2 and 0.8% of H2S.
S N W E

Pau anticline

Meillon Saint-Faust Rousse Rousse

Figure 3: N-S and E-W geological cross-sections through Rousse

2.2. Rousse storage qualification studies The objective of the 120,000 t of CO2 injection is to develop and apply geological storage qualification methodologies, monitoring and verification techniques on a real operationnal case to prepare future larger scale long term storage projects. It will correspond to an increase of Mano reservoir pressure from 30 bars up to 80 bars, that it is still far below the initial 480 bars. Nevertheless, the project gives the opportunity to develop, on the real case of Rousse, methodologies to: assess what could be the maximum capacity, the maximum acceptable pressure of a CO2 storage perform risk analysis studies of an entire CO2 storage complex (reservoir, cap rock, trap, water resources and well(s)) The workflow of those qualification studies has been divided into four main items: 1. Site and Complex Characterization: initial characterization of reservoir, cap rock, overburden, aquifers; characterization of the well integrity 2. Injection Modeling: injection well modeling and reservoir simulation with adapted thermodynamics 3. Storage Capacity and Short & Long Term Integrity Assessment: migration and fate of the acid gas within the reservoir; impact of acid gas on reservoir and cap rock; reservoir and cap rock integrity; long term well integrity; risk analysis (modes of failures; scenarios of leakage etc) 4. Monitoring Plan Design Most of the subsurface data and geological knowledge of Rousse have been acquired during the exploration and appraisal period before the initial development for hydrocarbon production and during the exploitation phase. Nevertheless, CO2 storage qualification studies need specific new data, specific methodologies and studies that are not always commonly acquired or performed in oil & gas industry. 2.2.1. Characterization studies The initial site characterization studies need specific data because they cannot be limited to the trap and to the reservoir (petrophysics, mineralogy, fluids, facies and heterogeneities) but have to be extended to the cap rock units, to the entire overburden, to the natural resources to be protected (Tertiary saline and potable aquifers in the case of Rousse) and to the well(s). They also need specific modeling not restricted to the reservoir: one of the results of the Rousse characterization phase is a 100 km2 earth model of the entire storage complex from the reservoir bottom to the surface including the surrounding wells. It is centered on the Rousse structure and includes the aquifers (Figure 4). It will allow evaluating the maximum capacity of the storage, performing integrity studies and risk analysis studies.

Lacq gas field

Lagrave

Meillon-Saint Faust

Rousse

Earth model perimeter

3D 2D

10 km

Figure 4: Location and extension of the Rousse earth model 2.2.2. Injection modeling Regarding the modeling of the CO2 injection, the temperature and pressure profile along the injector have been estimated with adapted PVT and thermodynamics. In order to calibrate the model, the injection well will be equipped below ground level with four permanent pressures and temperature gauges on an optical fiber. A first reservoir simulation by material balance has been performed, matching the production history and modeling the pressure evolution during and after the injection period. A reservoir flow modeling is in progress with Eclipse. 2.2.3. Short and long term integrity study Rousse depleted gas field present many advantages for CO2 storage, the most important of which being that it is well known from a geological and reservoir aspects and has proven effective seals: it has been containing hydrocarbons, H2S and CO2 for millions years without any leakage. Therefore, the loss of integrity can be considered as very unlikely. The assessment is made in four steps: Modeling of the short and long term fate of the acid gas within the reservoir Geochemical effects of the injection on the reservoir, the cap rock and the well components Determination of the potential failures modes : mechanical failure of cap rock, fault reactivation, capillary sealing failure, loss of the integrity of the well Risk analysis The fate of CO2 and its chemical impacts on the reservoir have been simulated with a batch thermodynamical model to determine the main impact and with a simplified 3D reservoir model to investigate space and time issues of the chemical. The main results of the batch (CHESS) and of the 3D coupled geochemical and flow simulation (GEM-GHG) is that no significant modification of the porosity and permeability is expected that could alter the reservoir integrity. The chlorite initially present will be dissolved and siderite could precipitate. It is necessary to demonstrate that the stress modification in and around the reservoir induced firstly by the depletion due to the gas production and secondly by the CO2 injection, combined with possible modifications of the reservoir and cap rock porous network due to chemical fluid-rock interactions, will not affect the structure and damage the efficiency of the cap rock. Geomechanical simulations of Rousse show: that the production period has not modified the mechanical parameters of the storage and that the injection up to 80 bars of a CO2 colder than the reservoir will neither initiate hydraulic and thermal fractures nor reactivate the faults crossing or limiting the trap. First results indicate that it is not a critical

issue and that will not damage the trap. A geomechanical 3D simulation of the earth model with VISAGE is in progress. It aims at modeling the impact of the depletion and injection periods on the storage complex. The capillary sealing efficiency to acid gas of the Rousse cap rock is not an issue during the pilot because the reservoir pressure will stay far below the initial reservoir pressure and the actual cap rock pressure. Nevertheless, experiments are conducted on Rousse cap rock samples in TOTAL and IFP laboratories to determine wettability to CO2 as well as porosity and permeability. As the wells provide a potential pathway for CO2 leakage from storage reservoir to other geological formations, aquifers or even to the surface, well integrity needs to be carefully evaluated. The integrity studies of the well Rousse #1 consist of: The initial characterization of its integrity (specific logging of the well components cement, casings- before and also during the workover). It will be also used a proprietary software, SealWell, which allows prediction and analysis of the cement mechanical damage along well bores taking into account mechanical and thermal stresses during all the operational phases of a well (from drilling to completion, production and work over) The assessment of the impact of a natural earthquake on its integrity. Rousse is located in the Pyrnes foothills where seismicity is an issue to be looked at The evaluation of the well integrity. 2.2.4. Risk analysis Regarding the risk analysis study, for the permitting process of the 2 year injection in Rousse at low pressure, a classical approach of scenario identification and impact assessment has been conducted. The resulting credible event selected fro the stotage part was therefore only the well failure. As far as the methodological aspect of the pilot is concerned, a R&D work is in progress to define a risk analysis study workflow to be applied on a CO2 storage complex at its maximum capacity. On the one hand a FEPs study will be performed, on the other hand the earth model is being used to perform a more detailed risk analysis for higher pressures and to define the different thresholds. 2.3. Monitoring plan The main objectives of the monitoring program of the storage are: to measure the flow rate and the injected gas composition; to check that the behavior of the site and of the injected CO2 is as planned; to check that there is no loss of integrity, no leak upward to aquifers and to surface, biosphere and no impact to human health.

The Rousse monitoring plan consists of: Mass flowmeters and gas composition analysers of the CO2 stream CO2, methane and H2S detectors on the Rousse#1 well pad Soil gas mapping survey at different surface locations around the site. Started in September 2008, 9 months before the injection, it is planned to take place every 3 months in the base line phase and at least 2 times per year during the injection period and once a year after.

Pressure and temperature measurement by a fibre optic along the well at four different depths to monitor the down hole and reservoir conditions as well as the calibration of the well injectivity and well pressure drop models. Microseimic monitoring system to identify any effect of the injection on the reservoir and the cap rock. It will comprise: seven micro-seismic sensor arrays installed in seven shallow wells (six at two kilometers around the injector and one on Rousse well pad) and three micro seismic sensors installed downhole slightly above the top of the Mano reservoir (Figure 5). A base line acquisition is planned to start before the beginning of the injection. An early base line survey of the biosphere and of the water resources has been performed. The absence of impact of the injection on biosphere and aquifers will be checked by performing periodic surveys during and after the injection period.

Figure 5: Simplified monitoring system for Rousse (left) and the microseismic monitoring well location (right)

PROJECT TIMELINE:
2006
Site Site screening and conceptual studies Basic engineering studies Detailed engineering and procurement Construction works Injection well work over Injection Base line surveys and monitoring Information to stakeholders Permitting process with regulatory agencies Public inquiry

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Recent developments : The project has been launched officially end 2006 after the site selection studies and the pre design of the facilities. Construction work have been completed mid 2009, oxyfiring in the boiler at Lacq started on July 3rd, 2009. The installations were officially inaugurated on January the 10th in the presence of Valrie Letard the French Minister for sustainable technology and Totals CEO Christophe de Margerie. The complete chain is now in operation and the testing program will be conducted all through years 2010 and 2011. Knowledge sharing dispositions: The project has been set up to transfer information to the Universities, the scientific carbon capture and storage community and the stakeholders via: - A Scientific Advisory Committee - A local Information and Follow up Committee with the stakeholders - Specific MOU with governmental organization of foreign countries such as Indonesia Several scientific collaboration programs have been set up using the Lacq CO2 project results with Universities and Institute (such as IFP, BRGM, IPGP, TNO, ), some of them founded by the CO2 program of the French National Agency for Research. The project was recognized eligible under CSLF in September 2009 presented by France and Canada. Widely available public information will be therefore available on CSLFs site.

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What specific innovations are worth mentioning: - There is no project in operation yet in Europe combining in a single operation CO2 capture of the entire flue gas from one large combustion equipment, transportation and storage in an onshore depleted reservoir - More specifically, the retrofit of an industrial gas boiler into an oxyboiler has never been carried out. - The microseismic network of the storage monitoring program combining downhole sensors and shallow well with sensors is a very innovative system The project will bring new knowledge in the following areas: - Oxycombustion cost and efficiency - Onshore depleted gas field qualification and risk assessment process - Public consultation and information on CCS technology Feed back from the operations and from the public engagements: The presentation in the Montral meeting will develop the feed back from : - Oxycombustion on gas on 30 MW scale - CO2 injection in an onshore site in Europe - 3 years of public engagement (ongoing during the 2 years period of injection just starting) This paper will be updated in the next 2 months accordingly. PROJECT CONTACTS: Preliminary contacts to be taken with Luc de Marliave (luc-de-marliave@total.com) - Total Paris Nicolas Aimard (Nicolas.aimard@total.com) - Total Exploration and Production Pau The Lacq site is a restricted industrial site: authorization required before any visit

PROJECT WEBSITES: http://www.total.com/en/corporate-social-responsibility/special-reports/capture/ _

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