Transportation of CO₂

CCUS (Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage) refers to the capture, storage and recovery of CO₂. The technique involves capturing CO₂ emissions and sequestering them either in old hydrocarbon deposits or geological formations, or repurposing them for new industrial and energy uses (synthetic fuels, etc.). This is a decarbonisation solution for industrial sectors that emit large amounts of CO₂ and which have no sustainable decarbonised energy alternatives.

CCUS requires an efficient transmission network to convey very large quantities of CO₂ from its location of capture to its place of recovery or storage. And this is where NaTran comes in, with its dedicated transmission infrastructure adapted to the task.

The CCUS chain

>>> La chaîne CCUS (PDF)

As a matter of priority, NaTran is taking steps to meet the needs of the France’s first national-level projects spread over the three industrial zones with the country’s highest CO₂ emissions:

Dunkirk Basin

With an initial capacity of 3 to 4 Mt CO₂/year, the project aims to develop a CO₂ pipeline network in the industrial port area of Dunkirk. The project also includes compression facilities to connect the network to the offshore pipeline developed by our partner Equinor. Thanks to this interface with Equinor's CO₂ Highway Europe project, DKHARBO offers French carbon-intensive industries reliable, competitive and large-scale access to permanent CO₂ storage capacities developed in the North Sea. Basic engineering studies for the project began in 2025. They follow on from feasibility studies carried out in 2023 and 2024 and are supported by the European Union through CEF-E funds. The aim is to bring the project into service in 2031/2032.

Saint-Nazaire – Montoir-de-Bretagne - GOCO₂ project

In partnership with Elengy and various major industrial CO₂ emitters (LAFARGE, HEIDELBERG MATERIALS, LHOIST), the GOCO₂ project aims to capture CO₂ from industrial sites and transport it to the Saint-Nazaire maritime export terminal for delivery to geological storage sites. Capacity is estimated at 2.3 million tonnes per year by 2030. It could eventually transport and export up to 4 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2050. Basic engineering studies (FEED) are currently being launched. The project was the subject of preliminary consultations from September to December 2025, under the aegis of the National Commission for Public Debate. In parallel with these studies, a funded technical and economic analysis was launched to cover the needs of more widespread emitters/consumers in the Greater West region.

Dorling cartogram of EU-ETS CO₂ emissions in 2024

Verified GHG emissions from installations in metropolitan France subject to the EU Emissions Trading System.

The circles are proportional to the quantity of emissions and, where necessary, displaced as little as possible to avoid overlaps.

Source: EU ETS CO₂ emissions 2005-2024 in mainland France + Corsica

NaTran is establishing itself as a key player in the implementation of CCUS chain in France. Together with its partners, it promotes the development of the CO₂ capture, storage and utilisation sector in France.

NaTran is a member of the “CO₂ Club”. The association now brings together 92 French CCUS players. As a point of contact for public authorities, it is a forum for discussion, feedback and initiatives.

NaTran co-leads the CCUS working group within the CSF Nouveaux Systèmes Énergétiques (New Energy Systems) with TotalEnergies and Technip Energies.

NaTran also promotes the vision of CO₂ transport via carbon pipelines to support the Energy Transition within the European associations CCSA, ENTSOG & GIE and during consultations with the European Commission and the French government on their strategic and legislative visions for decarbonisation.