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Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide
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Geologic sequestration (GS) is the process of injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) from a source, such as a coal-fired electric generating power plant, through a well into the deep subsurface. With proper site selection and management, geologic sequestration could play a major role in reducing emissions of CO2.
This page provides information on the EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water’s work to ensure the protection of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).
- On this page
Background
Geologic sequestration of CO2 through well injection meets the definition of “underground injection” in section 1421(d)(1) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). EPA has authority for underground injection of under the SDWA Underground Injection Control (UIC) program.EPA and states, territories, and tribes that have primacy for UIC programs (“Primacy States”) act as co-regulators to protect USDWs from any potential endangerment from underground injection of CO2.
Underground injection of CO2 for purposes such as enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and enhanced gas recovery (EGR) is a long-standing practice. CO2 injection specifically for geologic sequestration involves different technical issues and potentially much larger volumes of CO2 and larger scale projects than in the past.
Research efforts to evaluate the technical aspects of CO2 geologic sequestration are underway.EPA Regions and Primacy States currently permit injection wells associated with these research and development projects as Class V wells. Permit applications are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure the protection of USDWs. EPA released Class V Experimental Technology Well Guidance for Pilot Geologic Sequestration Projects in March, 2007. This guidance is intended to address only the experimental pilot projects anticipated to be brought online in advance of full-scale operations over the next several years. Regulations now in development will address future full-scale projects.
EPA announced in October 2007 that the Agency plannned to propose regulations to ensure consistency in permitting full-scale geologic sequestration projects in the summer of 2008. Several public stakeholder workshops were held to inform the regulatory development process.
Regulatory Development
Proposed rule for Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Geologic Sequestration (GS) Wells
In July 2008, EPA published the Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Geologic Sequestration (GS) Wells Proposed Rule for public review and comment.
- Federal Register Notice: Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Geologic Sequestration (GS) Wells Proposed Rule HTML | PDF Version (51pp, 1K)
- Fact sheet on the proposed rule PDF (3pp, 59K)
EPA 816-F-08-032, July 2008 - July 15, 2008 Press Release: EPA Lays Groundwork for Promising Technologies to Help Mitigate Climate Change
- Proposal support documents
- Approaches to Geologic Sequestration Site Stewardship After Site Closure PDF(27pp, 193K)
EPA 816-B-08-002, July 2008 - Geologic CO2 Sequestration Technology and Cost Analysis PDF (67pp, 574K)
EPA 816-B-08-009, July 2008 - Vulnerability Evaluation Framework for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide PDF (85pp, 2M)
EPA 430-R-08-009, July 2008
- Approaches to Geologic Sequestration Site Stewardship After Site Closure PDF(27pp, 193K)
Public Hearings
EPA will hold public hearings to solicit public comment on the proposed regulations for geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide.
- September 30, 2008: Chicago, IL at the EPA Region 5 Office
- October 2, 2008: Denver, CO at the Colorado Convention Center
Additional information about the hearings and pre-registration information may be found in the Federal Register Notice.
- Proposed Federal Requirements Under the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Geologic Sequestration (GS) Wells; Notice of Public Hearings
HTML Version | PDF Version (12 pp, 58K, About PDF)
Stakeholder workshops
- February 26-27, 2008: Second Public Workshop to Discuss Management of Underground Injection of Carbon Dioxide for Geologic Sequestration Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, Washington DC
EPA held a second public workshop to discuss the development of proposed regulations for the underground injection of carbon dioxide for geologic sequestration under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The workshop was attended by more than 250 stakeholders representing a broad range of interests including government, industry, public interest groups, and the general public. - December 3-4, 2007: Public Workshop to Discuss Management of Underground Injection of Carbon Dioxide for Geologic Sequestration Under the Safe Drinking Water Act; Washington, DC
EPA held a public workshop to discuss the development of proposed regulations for the underground injection of carbon dioxide for geologic sequestration under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The workshop was attended by more than 200 stakeholders representing a broad range of interests including government, industry, public interest groups, and the general public.- Federal Register Notice of Meeting
- Presentations PDF (32pp, 2M)
- Summary PDF (39pp, 478K)
Class V Experimental Technology Well Guidance for Pilot Geologic Sequestration Projects
Pilot geologic sequestration projects around the country are assessing the efficacy of CO2 injection for the purpose of geologic sequestration. They will provide information about how CO2 behaves in the sub-surface and proper well construction and operational procedures.
EPA has provided UIC Program Guidance to assist state and EPA regional UIC programs in processing permit applications for these projects. This Guidance applies only to near-term geologic sequestration pilot projects prior to full-scale deployment. Regulations now in development will address full-scale projects.
- Using the Class V Experimental Technology Well Classification for Pilot Geologic Sequestration Projects, March 2007 PDF (23pp, 455K)
- Questions and Answers on the Final Guidance
- EPA's Role in DOE's Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Activities, July 5, 2006 PDF (2pp, 538K)
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Carbon Sequestration Regional Partnerships webpage.
Technical workshops on Geological Sequestration
Since 2005 EPA has been sponsoring or co-sponsoring workshops to explore the technical aspects of CO2 geologic sequestration and to share ideas with stakeholders and experts.
- January 16, 2008: CO2Geosequestration MMV(Measurement, Monitoring, and Verification) Workshop, New Orleans
- Agenda: CO2 Geosequestration MMV (Measurement, Monitoring, and Verification) Workshop PDF (2pp, 302K)
- Summary: CO2 Geosequestration MMV (Measurement, Monitoring, and Verification) Workshop PDF (23pp, 96K)
- Presentations: CO2 Geosequestration MMV (Measurement, Monitoring, and Verification) Workshop PDF (89pp, 5M)
- July 10-11, 2007: Geological Setting and Area of Review Considerations for CO2 Geologic Sequestration. Washington, DC
- Agenda: Geological Setting and Area of Review Considerations for CO2 Geologic Sequestration PDF (2pp, 2K)
- Summary: Geological Setting and Area of Review Considerations for CO2 Geologic Sequestration PDF (1pp, 20K)
- Presentations: Geological Setting and Area of Review Considerations for CO2 Geologic Sequestration PDF (180pp, 13M)
- March 14, 2007: EPA Technical Workshop on Well Construction and Mechanical Integrity Testing .Albuquerque, NM
- Agenda: EPA Technical Workshop on Well Construction and Mechanical Integrity Testing PDF (1pp, 23K)
- Summary:EPA Technical Workshop on Well Construction and Mechanical Integrity Testing PDF (18pp, 130K)
- Presentations: EPA Technical Workshop on Well Construction and Mechanical Integrity Testing PDF (76pp, 4M)
- January 24, 2007: State Regulators Workshop on Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide.San Antonio, TX
- Agenda: State Regulators Workshop on Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide PDF (1pp, 15K)
- Summary: State Regulators Workshop on Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide PDF (13pp, 11K)
- March 20-22, 2006: Site Characterization for CO2 Geological Storage. Berkeley, CA
- Agenda: International Symposium on Site Characterization for CO2 Geological Storage PDF (11pp, 155K)
- Summary: International Symposium on Site Characterization for CO2 Geological Storage PDF (1pp, 20K)
- September 28-29, 2005, Risk Assessment for Geologic CO2 Storage.; Portland, OR
- Agenda: EPA Workshop on Risk Assessment for Geologic CO2 Storage PDF (3pp, 196K)
- Summary: EPA Workshop on Risk Assessment for Geologic CO2 Storage PDF (1pp, 11K)
- April 6-7, 2005: Modeling and Reservoir Simulation for Geologic Carbon Storage. Houston, TX
Links
Additional information on climate change and sequestration can be found at EPA’s Global Warming and the Department of Energy web sites.