Helping the economy and the environment of China at the same time

The total energy consumption of China more than doubled in the two decades after 1980 from 400 millions tons of oil equivalent to over 900 millions. Per person the energy consumption almost doubles in the same period. In 2000 still 78% of all commercially consumed electricity was generated by coal, 17% by hydropower, with the final 5% shared by petroleum products, Natural gas and Nuclear Power. Electricity generation each year gobbles up more than 600 millions of tons of coal, representing 52% to total coal consumption in China.

Sulfur dioxide emissions, nitrous oxide and particulates from coal combustion are major air pollutants affecting human health and local, regional and even international environments. Estimates of the costs of environmental damage linked to sulfur emissions in China range as high as US$100 billion a year, and the costs of ensuring that the problem does not worsen are estimated to be around US$20 billion a year.

The Chinese government has introduced a number of initiatives to conserve energy and, in particular, to reduce coal related environmental damage. A tax on high sulfur coals has been introduced, while new mine developments producing coal with sulfur content of over 3.0 per cent have been prohibited. Small mines producing high sulfur coal have been closed, while large mines producing high sulfur coal are required to limit production and install washing plants to reduce sulfur levels.

With such measures both the environment and the economy are saved from high expenditures, at the same time increasing the quality of life of the citizens.

Revealing value : Extra heavy oil (8°API)

One of the over-riding goals in sustainable energy supply is to make the most of known resources. Technology plays a fundamental role in the drive to find and produce hydrocarbons more efficiently.

One of the examples of how technology can help in the sustainable development process by reducing costs and the environmental footprint, is the extra heavy oil production in Venezuela where many extra-heavy oil fields have remained unexploited.
Today, Total knows how to produce these oil fields and how to valorize them into a light oil (32°API) thanks to state of art technology :
·1500 wells will be drilled using horizontal drilling and multilaterals and fishbone wells to optimize production,
·multiphase pumping and counting to transport through a pipeline the crude to the upgrader on the coast to transform it into a light crude;
·real time transmission and exploitation of drilling and production data,
·finally delayed coking within the upgrader.

The production will go on for 30 years and the impact on the environment will be minimum.