CarbonSafe Initiative

Pre-Feasibility projects conducted economic feasibility analyses for targeted sites under varying scenarios under Phase I. In addition, extensive regional data was collected, analyzed, and modeled; multiple storage sites and infrastructure were evaluated; and business plans for a variety of CCS scenarios were developed. Overall lessons learned from the pre-feasibility projects include the following:

• CCS projects require strong collaborations and a business-focused strategy.
• Strong host site support is critical.
• Capture costs are a limiting factor for making CCS economical.
• Stacked storage is feasible but may not be practical at every storage site.
• Pressure management may be necessary to meet target rates and volumes.
• Reservoir heterogeneity requires improved models and data to increase plume behavior accuracy.

Research in the Storage Complex Feasibility projects focuses on one or more specific reservoirs within the defined storage complex, encompassing:

• Data collection.
• Geologic analysis.
• Identification of contractual and regulatory requirements and plans to satisfy them.
• Subsurface modeling to support geologic characterization, risk assessment, and monitoring.
• Public outreach.

Projects in this phase may drill characterization well and acquire geologic data from seismic surveys, core logs, and well tests. These projects evaluate initial reservoir characteristics to determine if the reservoir is suitable for 50+ MMT geologic storage, address technical and non-technical challenges that may arise, develop a risk assessment and CO₂ management strategy for the project; and assist with the validation of National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP) tools and other United States Department of Energy (DOE) tools.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) continues to award new projects under CarbonSAFE Phase II that will improve procedures to safely, efficiently, and affordably assess onshore and offshore project sites for commercial-scale geologic carbon storage.

CarbonSAFE Phase III projects commenced in 2020 and include the acquisition, analysis, and development of information to fully characterize storage complexes at multiple locations across the nation to demonstrate storage resources for commercial volumes of CO₂ (a minimum of 50 MMT of CO₂ within a 30-year period). These projects will provide lessons learned by doing, information on the costs of early mover projects, data on project risks, practice in adhering to regulations, and a basis for public acceptance. This phase also involves the identification of a storage site(s) within the storage complex, as well as the preparation and submission of an Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI permit to construct for each proposed injection well at the site(s). Projects identify and provide a pre-feasibility study of the commercial sources of anthropogenic CO₂ and the necessary capture technology(ies) that can be used to provide the quality and quantity of CO₂ needed. Once the UIC Class VI permit(s) to construct are submitted, additional activities include working with the regulators to satisfy their requirements until construction authorization is granted. Finally, this phase addresses pore/surface rights as needed, rights of way as needed, all other permitting processes and requirements (including National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA] determination and issuance), liability relief, and finance agreements in support of the business model for eventual commercial operations. Phase III projects continue to be awarded as part of an ongoing effort to meet decarbonization goals.

Phase III.5: NEPA, Storage Development Plan and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) Studies Only: Phase III.5 is intended for applicants who have completed most Phase III activities independent of DOE. It entails completion of NEPA determination and issuance, preparing storage development plans, and conducting FEED studies before being considered for Phase IV.

Subject to the availability of funding, the final phase of CarbonSAFE, Construction, will involve the drilling and completion of the injection and monitoring wells, completion of risk and mitigation plans, public engagement, and obtainment of authorization to inject.