CLASS VI CARBON SEQUESTRATION PROGRAM

 

Program
Overview
Frequently
Asked Questions
Permits
and Applications

 


Primacy
Public
Hearings
Application
Information

 

 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

 

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a three-step process that involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) at the source, compressing it for transport, and injecting it deep underground into rock formations. The first step, capturing the CO2, involves separating CO2 from other gases generated by industrial process facilities including fossil fuel-fired power plants, refineries, steel mills, and chemical plants. The next step, CO2 transport, involves compressing the CO2 for transport via pipelines or other methods to a suitable geologic storage site. Lastly, the remaining step is to store the CO2 underground by injecting it into rock formations often at depths of one mile or more.

 

Modified from Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
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The temperature and pressure conditions at these depths cause CO2 to exist as a supercritical fluid. This supercritical CO2 occupies significantly less volume than gaseous CO2 allowing for increased amounts to be stored underground.

 

Density of Supercritical CO2
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The storage of supercritical CO2 in deep underground rock formations is conducted through the use of Class VI injection wells. Class VI wells in Louisiana are currently regulated by the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resource’s Office of Conservation, Injection and Mining Division, Underground Injection Control (UIC) Section. In the context of CCS, the primary purpose of the UIC Section is to administer a regulatory and permitting program to protect underground sources of drinking water from endangerment by the subsurface emplacement of CO2 through deep well injection.

 

DENR's UIC Section Class VI Regulatory Process
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For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage. 

 

 

Helpful Links

 

  • Class VI FAQs
  • Frequently Asked Questions regarding Carbon Sequestration and Class VI Wells. - October 2024 
  • Comparison of Federal and Louisiana Regulations for Class VI Injection Wells
  • The following is intended only as a general overview of notable differences between EPA and Louisiana rules for Class VI wells and does not include all administrative or procedural differences. This list should not be taken as comprehensive or be used in lieu of application instructions, Office of Conservation guidance, LAC 43:XVII.Chapter 36, or other relevant parts of state or federal law. - Revised January 2023
  • Statewide Order No. 29-N-6
  • Statewide Order No. 29-N-6 contains the rules and regulations that apply to all owners and operators of proposed and existing Class VI injection wells and projects in the State of Louisiana. - Revised September 2022
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Contact Us

For public information, contact Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources Communications Director, Patrick Courreges, at 225-342-0510 or Patrick.Courreges@la.gov.

For project-related information, contact the Injection and Mining Division at Injection-Mining@la.gov.

 

 

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