La Française de l'Énergie Initiates New Well in Moselle
La Française de l'Énergie has started drilling a new well in Moselle dedicated to natural hydrogen, with financial support from the European Union and the Grand Est Region.
Launch of the PTH-2 Well
La Française de l'Énergie, engaged in low-carbon energy production, has announced the commencement of drilling the PTH-2 well in Moselle. This initiative follows the discovery of a natural hydrogen deposit in 2023. The PTH-2 well, drilled to a depth of 3,000 meters, aims to assess the concentration and volumes of hydrogen present underground. The project is part of the REGALOR II Research and Development program, conducted in partnership with several academic and scientific entities, including the University of Lorraine and the CNRS.
Funding and Strategic Importance
The REGALOR II program has received a grant of 8.8 million euros, provided by the European Union's Just Transition Fund and the Grand Est Region. FDE emphasizes that this project is strategic for the future production of natural hydrogen, with a potential impact by 2030. Concurrently, an application for an exclusive research permit is underway for an area of 2,254 square kilometers in the Lorraine basin, along with plans for additional measurements on existing wells.
Regional Support and Future Goals
The Grand Est Region has expressed strong interest in the project, which could contribute to the decarbonization and reindustrialization efforts in the area. La Française de l'Énergie reaffirms its objectives for 2030, aiming for an annual turnover of more than 175 million euros and an EBITDA over 85 million euros, as well as the avoidance of more than 20 million tonnes of CO2 eq emissions per year.
