Registration document 2011 - tota - Total.com

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Cracking
Refining process whereby the molecules of large, complex, heavy
hydrocarbons are converted into simpler, lighter molecules using
heat, pressure and, in some cases, a catalyst. A distinction is made
between catalytic cracking and steam cracking, which uses heat
instead of a catalyst. Steam cracking then produces ethylene and
propylene, in particular.
D
Debottlenecking
Change made to a facility to increase its production capacity.
Desulphurization unit
Unit in which sulphur and sulphur compounds are eliminated from
mixtures of gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons.
Developed Reserves
Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be expected
to be recovered through existing wells and installations or for which
the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor. This applies
to both proved reserves and proved plus probable reserves.
Development
Operations carried out to bring an oil or gas field on stream, including
in particular construction of the necessary infrastructures for oil
and gas production.
Distillates
Products obtained through the atmospheric distillation of crude
oil or through vacuum distillation. Includes medium distillate such
as aviation fuel, diesel fuel and heating oil.
E
Energy mix
The various energy sources used to meet the demand for energy.
Ethane
A colorless, odorless combustible gas found in natural gas and
petroleum gas.
Ethanol
Also commonly called ethyl alcohol or alcohol, ethanol is obtained
through the fermentation of sugar (beetroot, sugarcane) or starch
(grains, etc.). Ethanol has numerous food, chemical and energy
(biofuel) applications.
Ethylene/Propylene
Petrochemical products derived from cracking and essential to
the production of polyethylene and polypropylene, two plastics
frequently used in packaging, the automotive industry, household
appliances, healthcare and textiles.
F
Farnesane
Farnesane is obtained through the hydrogenation of farnesene,
a saturated hydrocarbon (alkane) that can be added to diesel fuel.
TOTAL. Registration Document 2011
Farnesene
A hydrocarbon molecule (iso-olefin containing 15 carbon atoms),
farnesene is a molecule that is very similar to fossil hydrocarbons
and can therefore be used to produce fuel or chemical compounds.
The Amyris company has developed a process to produce it
through the fermentation of sugar.
FEED studies (Front-End Engineering Design)
Studies aimed at defining the project and preparing for its execution.
In the TOTAL process, this covers the pre-project and basic
engineering phases.
Fossil energies
Energies produced from oil, natural gas and coal.
FPSO (Floating production, storage and offloading)
Floating integrated offshore unit comprising the equipment used to
produce, process and store hydrocarbons and off load them
directly to an offshore oil tanker.
H
Hydraulic fracturing
Technique that involves fracturing rock to improve its permeability.
Hydrocarbons
Molecules composed principally of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
They can be solid such as asphalt, liquid such as crude oil or
gaseous such as natural gas. They may also include compounds
with sulphur, nitrogen, metals, etc.
Hydrocracking
Catalytic refining process that uses hydrogen to convert heavy oils
into lighter fractions.
L
Lignocellulose
Lignocellulose makes up the wall of plant cells. In the biofuel sector,
this term is used to designate wood and straw, two resources that
can be used for biofuel production. Lignocellulose can be gasified
(thermochemical conversion) or split into its basic components
(sugars from cellulose and lignin) in order to transform them through
biochemical conversion.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Natural gas, primarily methane, that has been liquefied by cooling
in order to transport it.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Light hydrocarbons (comprised principally of butane and propane)
that are gaseous under normal temperature and pressure conditions
and that are kept in liquid state by increasing the pressure or
reducing the temperature.
M
Mineral interests
The rights to explore for and/or to produce oil and gas in a specific
area for a fixed period. Covers the concepts of “permit”, “license”,
“title”, etc.