Project Report
CRC approves California ’ s first carbon capture and storage project
Developments are being made to tackle emissions by injecting CO2 into an old fossil fuel extraction reservoir .
By California Resources Corporation
While the oil and gas industry does not fall into the sustainable energy category , ways to increase the industry ’ s global environmental footprint are developing . An example can be seen in a project from California Resources Corporation ( NYSE : CRC ) and its carbon management business , Carbon TerraVault ( CTV ), which announced approval of the Golden State ’ s first carbon capture and storage ( CCS ) project , located at CRC ’ s Elk Hills cryogenic gas plant in Kern County , California . “ We are pleased to advance California ’ s first CCS project to the next stage of its development highlighting our ability to deliver carbon management solutions while reducing our own emissions ,” said Francisco Leon , CRC ’ s President and Chief Executive Officer . “ This project , which repurposes fossil fuel extraction infrastructure and expertise to sequester carbon , is a forward-looking way to remove emissions while creating jobs in an emerging sector . Simply put , getting projects like this operating in a safe and effective way is critical for our climate progress .” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot . Project approval follows CRC ’ s recent receipt of final Class VI well permits from the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) for underground injection and storage of carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) into the 26R reservoir , located at CRC ’ s Elk Hills Field in Kern County , California . The 26R reservoir is part of CTV ’ s joint venture with Brookfield . “ This announcement underscores California ’ s leadership in carbon capture and sequestration in the United States and reaffirms our commitment to collaborating with the right
Geologic Carbon Sequestration ( GCS )
Geologic carbon storage is a process of storing carbon in underground rock layers . It is becoming known as a ‘ transition technology ’ due to the ability to use the technology alongside the existing production of oil and gas through a process called enhanced oil recovery . Producers inject carbon dioxide into oil reservoirs to increase oil production in areas that have already produced a lot of oil . The process works by pressurising the carbon dioxide into a liquid , then pumping it into the rock layers to mix with the remaining oil left after initial oil and gas production . The resulting carbon dioxide and oil mixture can then flow to the well to be produced . Once the carbon dioxide is injected into the rock formations , some of it will remain trapped either by the rock itself or by dissolving into groundwater and any remaining oil in the reservoir . ( USGS . gov )
partners on impactful and economically viable energy solutions that advance the transition to net zero ,” said Natalie Adomait , Managing Partner at Brookfield . “ Together with CRC , we are deploying our clean energy expertise to accelerate decarbonisation and drive capital deployment across California ’ s critical industries .” 26R is one of two depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs that comprise the CTV I storage site , with an expected injection rate of 1.46 million metric tons of CO2 storage per annum . Total estimated capacity of 26R is up to 38 million metric tons .
Cryogenic gas plant CCS project highlights
• Capture and Sequestration : CRC plans to capture and , through its joint venture with Brookfield ( CTV JV ), permanently store up to 100 thousand metric tons ( KMTPA ) of CO2 per annum from its Elk Hills cryogenic gas plant in the 26R reservoir .
• First Injection : Operations are expected to commence in late 2025 .
• Operating Costs : The project ’ s proximity to CRC ’ s 26R reservoir will minimise transportation costs associated with sequestration .
• Reduced GHG Emissions : Project expected to lower Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the Elk Hills Power Plant by up to 7 %.
Role of valves in GCS
Valves play an important role in GCS but mainly have two key components . The first is that valves help regulate the injection of CO2 into the underground storage , ensuring regulated and efficient sequestration . The second key component is how valves , control valves specifically , help maintain the operating conditions to prevent overpressure .
12 Valve World March 2025 www . valve-world . net