Northwest France’s GOCO₂ call for expressions of interest
GRTgaz is launching a major project to capture and transport CO₂, and is inviting stakeholders in the Pays de la Loire and Northwest regions of France, known as the “Grand Ouest” or “GO” for short, to express their interest in taking part in the project, which is essential if we are to achieve carbon neutrality in France and Europe by 2050.
A major project in the decarbonisation strategy for western France
France and Europe are demonstrating strong momentum in structuring carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, particularly via CO2 shipping. One of the major projects in the decarbonisation strategy of Northwest France is the “GOCO2” project which includes an estimated transport capacity of 2.6 million tonnes of CO2 per year in 2030. This initiative will make a significant contribution to reducing industrial emissions, and aims to transport and export up to 4 million tonnes of CO2 per year by 2050 i.e. more than 75% of the industrial emissions of Northwest France.
GRTgaz’s call for interest: a joint project with local industrial players
The objectives of the GOCO2 project are to support the creation of industrial projects for the capture, storage and recovery of CO2, and to accelerate industrial decarbonisation. Designed in consultation with a consortium of industrialists based in Northwest France, including Elengy, GRTgaz, Heidelberg Materials, Lafarge, Lhoist and TotalEnergies, the transport network will connect the industrial sites that capture their CO2, then transport it by pipeline to the Montoir-de-Bretagne liquefaction terminal before exporting it by ship to permanent geological storage areas. Biogenic CO2 can also be upgraded to form synthetic fuel produced from CO2 and H2 (e-fuel).
A hydrogen transport infrastructure launched by GRTgaz will then complement the GOCO2 project in the same industrial area.
The new CO2 transport network could be extended to other regions, in particular to connect them to local CO2 recovery projects and to infrastructures enabling CO2 to be sent to geological storage sites in the North Sea, thereby contributing to the attractiveness of a low-carbon industrial area.
The CO₂ call for interest process
The call for expressions of interest is open to all manufacturers in the four regions of Northwest France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays de la Loire, Brittany and Centre-Val de Loire), in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner.
It will take place in 2 stages:
- An initial, non-binding phase will be used to identify the requirements. GRTgaz will then carry out a feasibility study to define the appropriate transport infrastructure and prepare an initial budget.
- If this non-binding phase confirms market interest, GRTgaz will define the conditions of access to the facilities and the decision-making conditions for their construction, in consultation with the interested parties. The aim is to launch the second phase, which, this time will be binding.
During the first non-binding phase, the stakeholders are invited to express their interest based on the information provided in the GOCO2 Information Memorandum, supplemented by the GO CO2 Infrastructure Proposal and the CO2 Specifications Proposal, which can be downloaded below.
The proposed CO₂ transport infrastructure
The CO2 transport network infrastructure proposed by GRTgaz will pass through the towns of Neau, Saint-Pierre-la-Cour, Airvault and Donges. The CO2 will then be transported to recovery sites or to the Montoir-de-Bretagne LNG terminal, before being loaded onto ships for injection into specific wells in the North Sea.
This first proposal is purely indicative. Depending on feedback from local stakeholders, adjustments to the route may be considered.
Technical details
CO2 specifications must make it possible to protect the integrity of the transport structures from the risks of chemical reactions and modifications of the physical characteristics of their constituent materials, and guarantee the transport of CO2 to other transport infrastructures in line with the ultimate requirements. They apply regardless of the nature of the CO2 injected, of fossil or biogenic origin.
Therefore, any CO2 flow introduced into the CO2 transport network as proposed in this call for tenders will have to comply with specifications in terms of:
- Quality (composition) of the CO2;
- Pressure and temperature conditions.
GRTgaz suggests using the initial specifications summarised in the downloadable document below as a guide.
Documentation in english version
How can you take part?
Are you involved in a CO2 capture, storage, port terminal or recovery project?
Are you interested in building a connection to the future CO2 transport infrastructure proposed for the four regions of Northwest France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Pays-de-la-Loire, Brittany and Centre-Val de Loire)?
If so, you can register your interest in the project.
This expression of interest phase is open from 11 March 2024 to 11 April 2024. If the market responds favourably at this stage, further technical studies of the dimensions and route, and definition studies will be carried out until the end of 2024.
Once you have completed the online expression of interest form, GRTgaz will contact you to discuss your requirements after signing a confidentiality agreement.