El Biban Oil Field, Zaris Tunisia

BOOSTING THE ECONOMY THROUGH LOW COST ELECTRICAL POWER;
ELIMINATING ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

"Our confidence and trust in CME, and in particular Bill Martin, has demonstrated over and over through our continued association and mutual pursuit of new business opportunities. CME possess the expertise needed to develop projects. CME has a network of people and resources that enables it to size itself to the requirements of the opportunity."
Terry R. Sears, Vice president Caterpillar Power Ventures

Overview:

CME was lead developer and partnered with Caterpillar Finance on the development of the El Biban project. This was the first private power project developed in North Africa. It was also one of the first carbon capture projects in the world.

Opportunity:

The Tunisian government is committed to improving the economy in the southern part of the country, as well as clean up an environmental hazard from existing oil fields. Our project here also helped create regional grid stability and reduce the need for more expensive imported power.

Challenge:

Developing, financing, and building the first independent power project in North Africa, while eliminating a major environmental hazard.

CME Solution:

The southern Tunisian region of Zarzis proves to be an excellent location for a 27MW cogeneration electric power plant that captures gas before flaring and burning it as fuel.

* CME provided front-end analysis of economic, financial and technical viability.
* Working closely with the Tunisian government, CME helped officials draft legislation that would enable private development to succeed.
* CME created a develop team comprised of Caterpillar Power Ventures Corporation, which specializes in equity financing of electric power generation projects worldwide, and Centurion Energy, the owner of the oil wells.
* The development team negotiated contracts that would hold up to the scrutiny of Western Banks, while paying full respect to the laws and processes of Tunisia.
* In addition, CME tapped Caterpillar to supply solar generating turbines, act as the turnkey construction company, and operate the facility through a subsidiary.

Economic Benefits:

Serving all of southern Tunisia, the new power plant not only replaces electricity that would otherwise have been bought from Algeria, it also enables Tunisia to sell electricity into the Algerian grid.

Environmental Impact:

The plant captures waste gases from an oil field and converts the gas to electricity and heat.

The waste gases were a serious environmental hazard until captured for use as a fuel for conversion to electricity.

NOTE:

CME has sold it's interest in the project and wish to thank Centurion Energy and Caterpillar for a great working relationship.

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