In Lorraine, there are still extensive coal deposits which remain unexcavated since coal mining stopped in France in 2004 with the closure of the Houve mine. The Lorraine coal still contains significant resources of natural gas called coal bed methane (CBM).

With Regalor, it is the first time scientists are involved with industrials to provide recommendations before the launching of exploitation. Even if the context is favourable, researchers’ expertise will highlight the feasibility of a low carbon coal bed methane exploitation in Lorraine.

Their mission is to decide on the impact of a coal bed methane exploitation for environmental, territorial, geologic and social matters.

Initiated in 2012 by the Lorraine region, financed by the European Regional Development Fund, Regalor is a scientific research project. Teams from GeoRessources laboratory (Université de Lorraine – CNRS) hold this project, in partnership with la Française de l’Energie and 4 laboratories of Université de Lorraine.