Total Ships First Carbon-Neutral LNG Cargo to CNOOC

French oil and gas major Total said Thursday it had delivered its first shipment of carbon-neutral liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

Total explained that the carbon footprint of the LNG shipment was offset with VCS (Verified Carbon Standards) emissions certificates financing two projects.

The two projects are Hebei Guyuan Wind Power Project, which aims to reduce emissions from coal-based power generation in northern China, and Kariba REDD+ Forest Protection Project, which aims to protect Zimbabwe's forests.

The LNG loading operation was carried out at the Ichthys liquefaction plant in Australia, and the shipment was delivered on September 29 to the Dapeng terminal, China.

“We are proud to have completed this first shipment of carbon-neutral LNG with CNOOC, a long-standing partner of Total. This first LNG shipment, whose carbon emissions have been offset throughout the value chain, represents a new step as we seek to support our customers towards carbon neutrality,” Laurent Vivier, President for Gas at Total, said.

"The development of LNG is essential to meet the growth in global demand for energy while reducing the carbon intensity of the energy products consumed," Vivier said.