• The EPA issued its first-ever Class VI permits in California, allowing Carbon TerraVault to store 1.5 million metric tons of CO₂ annually for 26 years.
• Strict safeguards include continuous monitoring, well plugging, and emergency response plans to protect groundwater and public health.
• Carbon sequestration aims to mitigate climate change but does not address methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.

Pioneering Carbon Storage in Kern County

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued four Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) permits to Carbon TerraVault (CTV), a subsidiary of California Resources Corporation. These permits authorize CTV to store carbon dioxide underground at the Elk Hills Oil Field near Bakersfield, California—marking the first permits of this kind in the state.

“This permit is authorized because the Safe Drinking Water Act allows for carbon injection projects that protect drinking water sources,” said Martha Guzman, EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator.

The Plan

CTV’s project involves injecting CO₂ more than a mile underground into the Monterey Formation, with a target of storing nearly 38 million metric tons over 26 years. The carbon dioxide will come primarily from pre-combustion gas treatment at Elk Hills, with future sources subject to EPA approval.

Related Article: EPA Issues First Three Draft Carbon Sequestration Permits To Oxy Low Carbon Ventures For DAC Project

Safeguards and Oversight

The EPA’s approval includes extensive requirements for monitoring and public transparency:

• Leak Prevention: Continuous monitoring of well integrity, air quality, and CO₂ movement to detect leaks.
• Public Data: CTV must publish monitoring data on a public website.
• Well Plugging: CTV is required to properly seal 200 wells in the injection area before starting CO₂ injection.

“We’ve ensured that the permit includes continuous monitoring for leaks and that CTV plugs abandoned wells to protect public safety and the environment,” Guzman added.

Seismic and Safety Measures

EPA’s review included seismic surveys, fault assessments, and evaluations of historical seismic activity to minimize earthquake risks. The agency concluded that the geology and containment zone of the Monterey Formation can safely store the CO₂ without upward migration or seismic concerns.

Financial Assurance

CTV must maintain $30 million in financial reserves for well plugging, post-injection site care, and emergency responses. The EPA will annually review and adjust the financial requirements as needed.

Next Steps

The Class VI permits allow injection operations but require compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. EPA’s oversight will continue throughout the project to ensure environmental safety and public health protection.

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