Rose Carbon Capture and Storage Project

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the process of capturing CO₂, a gas released into the atmosphere from natural and man-made sources, and injecting it into deep, underground geologic formations for safe, secure, and permanent storage in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colorless, odorless gas that is a natural component of our air. It is also a greenhouse gas that is released into the atmosphere from natural and man-made sources, including the combustion of fossil fuels, like coal, oil, or natural gas.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is being used to help reduce the amount of CO₂ in our atmosphere by collecting it from industrial sources or via Direct Air Capture and injecting it thousands of feet underground for safe, secure and permanent storage*. Carbon Storage technology has been implemented by industry for 50 years, and with more than 30 years of experience with carbon capture projects, ExxonMobil can do it safely.

*United States Department of Energy “Carbon Dioxide 101”

Jefferson County is ideally suited for carbon capture and storage. The area is home to one of the nation’s most active industrial corridors, including well-established CO₂ infrastructure. The Rose CCS Project site has a unique geology that creates the ideal conditions for permanent CO₂ storage.

Yes. ExxonMobil plans to put in place multiple engineering, monitoring, and operational measures to help ensure safe, long-term operations. Our measures are planned to meet or exceed all applicable local, state, and federal requirements including those mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Like Jefferson County, there are several counties throughout Texas that currently have CO₂ pipelines. Some also have CO₂ injection wells and associated underground storage related to enhanced oil recovery activities. Rose CCS Project does not involved with enhanced oil recovery and/or oil and gas production. While third party and university studies are being conducted, ExxonMobil is not aware of any published data that suggests property values are negatively impacted by carbon capture and storage projects.

ExxonMobil will implement a thorough and multi-tiered monitoring program in compliance with regulatory requirements. These safety protocols help ensure project integrity and the safety of the communities in which we operate. While CO₂ operations have a very strong safety record, ExxonMobil works closely with local emergency responders to provide equipment and best-in-class training to help ensure that they are ready to address a variety of community based needs.

Potential CO₂ storage sites are carefully selected only after undergoing rigorous analysis to ensure they are suitable. Once stored, the CO₂ is held in place by multiple layers of impermeable seal rock, often hundreds of feet thick. These are the same types of subsurface layers that have kept oil and natural gas safely in place for millions of years. Over time, stored CO₂ will either mineralize, dissolve or be otherwise securely trapped.

Any formation chosen for CO₂ storage will be far underground, with multiple layers of impermeable seal rock between the storage well and the water table. For the Rose CCS Project, storage will take place between a half-mile and a mile and a half below the surface. All underground injection activities are monitored and regulated by the EPA or relevant state agencies to protect underground sources of drinking water.

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is a technique that allows us to install a pipeline underground while minimizing impacts to the environment and surface ground. Click here for more information or watch our HDD video.