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CarbonSAFE

Demonstrating the Potential for Permanently Storing CO2

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Initiative projects focus on developing geologic storage sites for storing 50+ million metric tons of CO2 from industrial sources. Goals of the CarbonSAFE projects are to improve and optimize procedures related to 1) project site screening and selection, 2) site characterization, 3) baseline monitoring, and 4) subsurface monitoring. In addition, CarbonSAFE is looking to compile the information necessary to submit appropriate permits and design injection and monitoring strategies for commercial-scale projects.

The CarbonSAFE Initiative builds off the work done by the Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships to fund and develop projects ready for integrated carbon capture and storage (CCS) system deployment in the 2025–2030 time frame.

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) and its partners collaborate on CarbonSAFE projects as part of ongoing regional and national efforts to ensure reliable, affordable energy and advance the wide-scale commercial deployment of CCS.

Collaborative Projects

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    1. Alaska Railbelt Carbon Capture and Storage (ARCCS) Project Phase II
    2. Coal Creek Carbon Capture: Site Characterization and Permitting Phase III
    3. Nebraska Integrated Carbon Capture and Storage Prefeasibility Study (Phase I)
    4. North Dakota CarbonSAFE Phase IV
    5. Red Hills CO2 Storage Hub (RHCSH) Feasibility Study Phase II
    6. Roughrider Carbon Storage Hub Phase II
    7. CO2 Storage Hub for the Inland Northwest Economy (SHINE) Feasibility Study (Phase II)
    8. Steamboat Carbon Storage Hub Phase II
    9. Wyoming CarbonSAFE Phase III

 

CarbonSAFE Phases

Phase I focuses on identifying and assessing suitable sites for safe, large-scale carbon storage. This stage involves evaluating the geological, environmental, and infrastructural feasibility of potential locations, including initial studies to understand storage capacity, integrity, and necessary regulatory steps. 

Leveraging the success of the Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR Partnership) activities, the EERC was able to  bypass the CarbonSAFE Initiative’s prefeasibility phase (Phase I) for the North Dakota CarbonSAFE project and start at the feasibility study level (Phase II). 

Completed Phase I projects include:

Nebraska integrated Carbon Capture and Storage Prefeasibility Study

UW CEGR WY CarbonSAFE

Projects in Phase II focus on assessing the feasibility of safe, permanent CO2 storage through detailed investigations of subsurface geology, environmental and economic considerations, and regulatory frameworks. 

Current Phase II efforts include:

ARCCS

SHINE

RHCSH

Steamboat Carbon Storage Hub

Roughrider Carbon Storage Hub

 

Completed Phase II projects include:

North Dakota CarbonSAFE

UW CEGR WY Carbonsafe

Projects in Phase III focus on site characterization and permitting to establish safe, permanent, CO2 storage sites. Current Phase III work explores integrating storage solutions with existing energy infrastructure.

Current Phase III efforts include:

Coal Creek Carbon Capture Project

Wyoming CarbonSAFE

Completed Phase III projects include:

North Dakota CarbonSAFE

 

Projects in Phase IV focus on deploying large-scale CO2 injection and monitoring systems to demonstrate the safety and efficiency of permanent carbon storage. A key Phase IV initiative is North Dakota CarbonSAFE, led by DCC East Project LLC. The project involves characterizing deep geological formations near Minnkota Power Cooperative’s Milton R. Young Station, securing permits for CO2 injection and storage, and preparing infrastructure for full-scale carbon capture and injection. This project is part of Minnkota’s ongoing Project Tundra initiative, which showcases North Dakota’s advancements in sustainable energy solutions. 

Learn More About north dakota carbonsafe

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, permanently storing CO2 deep underground is safe if the CO2 is injected into the right place using the right equipment and its movement is tracked. Carbon dioxide will be injected deep into the subsurface (about 1–2 miles), far below the drinking water zone, into rock layers that will permanently hold it. CO2 storage operators carefully select the storage formations used for storing the CO2 for their capacity, containment capabilities, geologic stability, depth, and chemistry.

No, targeted CO2 storage zones are located nearly a mile below freshwater aquifers. Thick, dense layers of cap rock separate the CO2 from the freshwater aquifers and prevent leaking—providing a natural barrier that already prevents the salty waters of the deep subsurface from seeping into drinking water layers. Regulator-approved monitoring programs provide assurance that the underground water supply is protected.

No, capturing and storing CO2 will not impact plant growth. Crop success will continue to be controlled by the critical factors that affect plant growth, including adequate water, sunlight, temperature (growing degree days), and essential minerals and nutrients (i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium).

No, CO2 storage will not cause earthquakes if the CO2 is injected into the right place using the right equipment. CO2 storage operators perform extensive site-screening and characterization activities to identify stable geology and storage formations that are able to accommodate injected fluid. 

No, the CO2 injected for dedicated permanent storage goes into layers that do not contain harvestable minerals such as oil. Nor will the CO2 commingle with oil-bearing layers. Established state regulations provide for oil/mineral exploration near a dedicated permanent storage zone while keeping the CO2 securely in place. 

Resources

Want to learn more about how we are driving innovation in CCUS research? Visit our Carbon Management page for insights into our leadership in advancing carbon storage and utilization solutions.

Carbon Management

North Dakota Is a Great Place
for CCUSND is a Great Place for CCUS

CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery: Greener OilCO2 for EOR

Keeping an Eye on Injected CO2: CCUS MonitoringCCUS Monitoring

Learn More About CarbonSAFE

Headshot photo of man in brown suit and glasses
Wes Peck
Assistant Director for Subsurface Strategies
  • Email Me

 

 

 

 

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Low-Carbon Energy for North Dakota

How will North Dakota continue to produce affordable, dependable electricity, keep high-paying jobs, and protect the environment into the future? Carbon capture and storage could be part of the answer.

Watch Video

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research@undeerc.org
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