Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a crucial element in mitigating carbon emissions and is becoming a well-recognized and necessary tool in global, federal, and state level efforts to mitigate climate change. Interest in CCUS is being stimulated by regulatory requirements, but is also core to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs and is of great interest to investors. One of the primary forms of CCUS is geologic sequestration, which entails injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into deep rock formations for safe, permanent underground storage.
DBS&A experts supported the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in developing its regulations for permitting carbon dioxide injection (Class VI) wells as well as EPA’s Class VI technical guidance documents. Since then, we have assisted clients with permitting Class VI wells in more than six states, across multiple EPA regions as well as in states that have primacy over Class VI permitting. For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/uic/class-vi-wells-used-geologic-sequestration-co2.
Complete the form below to receive a comparison of California Air Resources Board (CARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requirements to the analogous requirements under U.S. EPA Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI program.
Capabilities
DBS&A applies our expertise and experience with CCUS, multi-phase fluid modeling, vadose zone and groundwater monitoring programs, and subsurface injection to support projects while protecting groundwater resources, reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, and mitigating climate change. Proper project siting, operation, and monitoring can minimize risks associated with CCUS.
CCUS related services that DBS&A offers include:
- U.S. EPA Class VI well permitting
- Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) plan development
- CARB LCFS Site Certification
- Data management and reporting
- Project siting and feasibility studies, including Phase I investigations
- Reservoir characterization
- Geologic and reservoir simulation modeling
- Geochemical evaluation and modeling
- Geotechnical evaluation
- Corrective action review
- Monitoring program development and implementation
- Field monitoring (long-term) via instrumentation (e.g., telemetry)
- Third-party and technical assurance review
- Funding assistance, including applications for grant funding through the U.S. Department of Energy’s CarbonSAFE program
Contact
Eryn Torres, PG
Carbon Management Market Leader, Principal Geologist
Email
(805) 681-2981
Gregory Schnaar, PhD, PG
Director of Expert Services, Principal Environmental Scientist
Email
(301) 755-6270
Information Request
Complete the form below to receive a comparison of California Air Resources Board (CARB) Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) requirements to the analogous requirements under U.S. EPA Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI program.
Select Publications and Presentations
Schnaar, G., C. Wolf, D. Schwartz, S. Finsterle. 2023. Permit Application Development for Planned Saline Formation Injection Project in San Joaquin Valley, California. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Conference, University of Houston, Houston, TX. April 26, 2023.
Schnaar, G., et al., Correction TO: Birkholzer, J.T. et al., 2011. Brine flow up a well caused by pressure perturbation from geologic carbon sequestration: Static and dynamic evaluations. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control; Vol. 5: 850–861. Int. J. Greenhouse Gas Control (2013), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.05.021
G. Schnaar. Federal UIC Regulations for Geologic Sequestration: An Integrated Approach of Site Characterization, Modeling, and Monitoring. American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Rocky Mountain Section Annual Convention, June 2010. Durango, Colorado.
Schnaar, G. 2010. Geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide: simulation for regulators. International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas Research and Development Program, CO2 Geologic Storage Modeling Meeting. February 2010, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Schnaar, G. 2010. Geologic sequestration modeling and federal regulations. Invited speaker at the International Energy Agency (IEA) Greenhouse Gas R&D Program CO2 Geological Storage Modeling Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, February 16, 2010.
Schnaar, G. and S. Cullen, 2009. The hydrology of geologic sequestration. Southwest Hydrology, Vol. 8, No. 5, September/October 2009.
G. Schnaar. Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Models, Codes, and Federal Regulations. TOUGH Symposium, September 2009. Berkeley, California.
G. Schnaar. Federal Regulations for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide. Air & Waste Management Association, Carbon Sequestration 101 (via webinar), February 2009.
Schnaar, G. and N. Sweetland. 2008. Geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide: potential impacts to groundwater resources, the U.S. regulatory framework, and lessons learned from previous injection activities. Groundwater Resources Association of California Climate Change: Implications for California Groundwater Management. August 2008, Sacramento, California.
G. Schnaar. Standards for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide, EPA Proposed Rulemaking, Signed July 15, 2008.
- Big Sky Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership Annual Meeting, October 2008. Spokane, Washington.
- EPA Region 8 State UIC Workshop, October 2008. Salt Lake City, Utah.
- WESTCARB Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership Annual Meeting, October 2008 (via webinar). Anchorage, Alaska.
- EPA Region 7 UIC Manager’s Meeting, September 2008 (via webinar). Kansas City, MO.
- Ground Water Protection Council Annual Meeting, September 2008. Session: Underground Injection Control (UIC) and Geosequestration Seminar.
- Electric Power Research Institute Fall Environment Council Meeting, September 2008. Baltimore, Maryland.
- Edison Electric Institute Global Climate Change Subcommittee Meeting, July 2008. Savannah, Georgia.