The Minister of energy Eric Besson has announced this Wednesday October 19 have granted a licence, exclusive research requested by ArcelorMittal capture-storage of CO₂ “ULCOS-BF” projecton the site of the group in Florange (Moselle).

“This project represents a first world in its field”, said the Ministry in a news release. It plans to launch next to a gas and CO₂ capture recycling demonstrator installed on the furnace of the steel site. This project ArcelorMittal had filed April 15, 2010 an application for an exclusive licence of research of natural subsurface formations to the geological storage of CO₂ in industrial destination for a period of five years. “Mining, code this application was the subject of a publication in the Official Journal of the French Republic and of a development in competition”, said the Ministry. “The licence at the end of this process gives ArcelorMittal exclusive access within the requested, to a better understanding of the basement to assess its ability to store permanent carbon dioxide and safely,” he said. Some work, and in particular the testing of injection of carbon dioxide, remain subject to the granting of additional leave, which means including the realization of an impact study and the Organization of a public inquiry.

The licence opens “of the prospects for the future” for the Florange site, considers Mr. Besson whereas the decision for an indefinite period of the two blast by the leadership of ArcelorMittal, raised questions about the continuation of the project ULCOS-BF.“This permit strengthens the chances of the project in the current European tender (“NER 300″)I visit before end of November in Brussels to meet European Commissioners responsible for this folder“, the Minister said. An envelope of EUR 150 million has been reserved by the Government for this project under the investment for the future, he added. The European selection decision is expected in 2012.