Following the completion of bibliographic research work and the encouraging results of preliminary field measurements, 45–8 ENERGY has detected significant prospective interest in helium, in association with non-combustible gases (nitrogen and carbon dioxide) in the Jura Foothills area.
In order to confirm the helium exploratory potential of the area, 45–8 ENERGY filed in April 2021 with the Ministry of Ecological Transition the application for an Exclusive Research Permit (PER) for helium and related resources, known as “Avant-Monts Franc-Comtois”. This PER, located in the west of the Doubs department and with an area of 306 km², has just been granted by ministerial decree and publication in the Official Journal (JORF) dated August 5, 2022, for a period of 5 years.
A first decisive exploratory phase
In order to deepen the geological knowledge of the area and confirm the helium content, an ambitious work program will be deployed. This includes data acquisitions that will be carried out with portable equipment to characterize the subsoil without danger to the environment and local residents. It includes in particular detailed geological mapping, taking gas samples in the soil (at a depth of 1 m) then analyzed in the laboratory and geophysical measurements (electrical tomography, gravimetry or magnetic) to indirectly image the subsoil. One or more shallow surveys will possibly complete this program if the preliminary results are encouraging.
The extension of the requested permit is at this stage necessarily vast in order to locate the areas most conducive to the presence of helium and, as data is acquired, to target the areas with the greatest potential. The aim is ultimately, if the potential is confirmed, to implement a compact production unit with a small footprint (equivalent to an agricultural hangar) after obtaining a production concession.
A perimeter in the heart of Franche-Comté
The PER includes 58 municipalities in Doubs belonging to Grand Besançon Métropole and the Communauté de Communes du Val Marnaysien:
Audeux, Avanne-Aveney, Berthelange, Besançon, Beure, Bonnay, Braillans, Burgille, Busy, Chalezeule, Champagney, Champvans-les-Moulins, Chatillon-le-Duc, Chaucenne, Chemaudin and Vaux, Corcelles-Ferrières, Corcondray, Courchapon, Dannemarie-sur-Crète, Decevey, Ecole-Valentin, Etrabonne, Ferrières-les-Bois, Fontain, Franey, Franois, Geneuille, Grandfontaine, Jallerange, Lantenne-Vertière, Larnod, Lavernay, Le Moutherot, Les Auxons, Mazerolles-le-Salin, Mercey-le-Grand, Mérey-Vieilley, Miserey-Salines, Montferrand-le-Château, Noironte, Pelousey, Pirey, Placey, Pouilley-French, Pouilley-les-Vignes, Pugey, Rancenay, Recologne, Ruffey-le-Château, Saint-Vit, Serre-les-Sapins, Tallenay, Thise, Thoraise, Torpes, Velesmes-Essarts, Vieilley and Villers-Buzon.
A project that plays a role in the ecological transition
The prospective interest of the area was highlighted by old surveys carried out in the region (1960s to 1970s) mentioning the presence of helium, associated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen and for some, natural hydrogen.
Helium is a natural, rare and strategic resource, present in the subsoil and to date, exclusively imported into Western Europe at great energy cost. The issues related to this dependence on imports are all the more exacerbated by the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and current global transport difficulties. Furthermore, its unique characteristics (inert, light, non-toxic, high thermal conductivity, odorless, low viscosity, etc.) make it essential to multiple crucial industries such as the medical (MRI, respiratory treatment), electronic (semiconductor, optical fiber, LCD screens, etc.) or aeronautics and space sectors. Local recovery of helium, managed in a short circuit, would make it possible, in addition to actively contributing to national sovereignty over this type of critical resource, to drastically reduce the ecological impact of the sector.
Industrial carbon dioxide is also facing major supply difficulties. Despite its unprecedented volume in the atmosphere, its concentration remains too low to purify it by simple air filtration. It is therefore currently produced industrially, particularly for the needs of the food, cryogenic and fire-fighting sectors. Jointly exploiting the helium and natural carbon dioxide in the area would therefore amount to locally satisfying two markets in high demand.
Finally, the presence of a minor fraction of natural hydrogen cannot be ruled out either. Such a resource, even if present at a level of a few percent, could easily be valorized thanks to the synergies offered by co-valorization and thus participate in the production of completely decarbonized, cheap hydrogen used 100% locally.
Key figures
2 – This is the number of helium PERs granted in France to date, all held by 45–8 ENERGY.
7 — It is, in millions of m3/year, French consumption of gaseous helium.
12 — It is, in millions of m3the preliminary and conservative estimate of the helium reserves in the area, which would thus cover almost 2 years of national consumption.
For more information: www.458energy.com
