Eni, Enel sign carbon-capture deal

ROME, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Italy's Eni and Enel said they signed a letter of intent to develop a joint feasibility study on the capture, transport and sequestration of carbon dioxide.

While Eni has the ability to sequester carbon dioxide in geological sites like depleted hydrocarbon deposits and deep saline aquifers, Enel is the firm that has the technology to capture the carbon.

If a planned feasibility study is successful, Eni and Enel will jointly develop a "National Plan" draft for the capture, transport and sequestration of carbon dioxide to be submitted to the government and to Italian and European institutions.

The two firms said they are committed to conducting a joint assessment of national offshore and onshore carbon dioxide sequestration projects and to implementing at least one pilot project demonstrating the integrated technologies.

"The agreement we have just signed enables two large energy companies to join forces to find viable solutions to the greenhouse gas effect. Eni and Enel together will offer Italy their best technological capabilities to put in place an effective and safe system for capturing and sequestrating carbon dioxide," said Paolo Scaroni, Eni's chief executive officer.