The primary goal of this project is to conduct a thorough commercial-scale site characterization of a storage complex in northwest New Mexico to expedite the implementation of integrated carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The project aims to collect data for a comprehensive environmental analysis, which will support the preparation and acquisition of a UIC Class VI permit for the construction necessary to inject and store at least 50 million metric tons of CO2 at the site. The project team plans to gather new field data and combine it with existing information to create detailed site-specific datasets for the UIC Class VI permit application process. This data will feed into simulation models to evaluate storage capacity, CO2 behavior, seal integrity, and the risk of induced seismicity. Additionally, an Environmental Information Volume (EIV) will be prepared to address any NEPA-related concerns for the capture, transport, and storage site. Outreach efforts will continue to inform the public about the benefits of the CCS project in the region.

The plan includes retrofitting the San Juan Generating Station with advanced CO2 capture technology, which is expected to capture 6-7 million metric tons of CO2 annually, with the intention of storing the captured CO2 locally within the San Juan Basin. The site targeted for characterization is situated approximately 17 miles from the generating station, and the team anticipates submitting the initial permit application in the year 2022. To foster community support and understanding, outreach programs are underway to educate local communities and stakeholders about the benefits and potential of CCS technology. An Environmental Information Volume has already been submitted to address NEPA considerations. As part of the characterization plan, a well will be drilled in the Summer or Fall of 2022 on private land to perform injectivity tests. This will be complemented by a suite of laboratory experiments and numerical modeling efforts. The project has secured 100 square miles of 3D seismic data, and there are plans to acquire a 3D Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP). Additionally, advanced monitoring techniques involving Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS), and Distributed Strain Sensing (DSS) optical fiber technologies will be installed behind casing to ensure thorough and precise characterization of the subsurface.