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Utilization of Carbon and other Energy Gases - Geologic Research and Assessments Active

By Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center March 16, 2021

Carbon Dioxide Storage Assessments and Research

The USGS provides national carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide storage information

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Associated Energy Gases

The USGS characterizes and evaluates the resource potential of energy-related gases such as carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, and hydrogen sulfide

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Microseismic Monitoring at Decatur, IL

The USGS monitors microseismic activity to better understand the possible hazard associated with deep-well injection of carbon dioxide at Decatur

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Above-ground Infrastructure for Storing Excess Energy

Subsurface natural gas storage in the Hutchinson Salt Member in Reno County, Kansas

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Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is utilized by industry to enhance oil recovery. Subsurface CO2 storage could significantly impact reduction of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, but the economics and potential risks associated with the practice must be understood before implementing extensive programs or regulations. Utilization of other energy-related gases such as helium (He), if separated and concentrated from the produced natural gas stream, can make otherwise low-thermal (un-economic) natural gas deposits a viable part of the national natural gas resource base. Geologic energy storage options require additional investigation and assessments of available storage resources.

 

Federal Lands Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sequestration in the U.S.

Federal Emissions report cover photo

The USGS has produced estimates of the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the extraction and end-use combustion of fossil fuels produced on Federal lands in the United States, as well as estimates of ecosystem carbon emissions and sequestration.

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Downloadable Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Spatial Data

CO2 sequestration assessment interactive map

A list of downloadable geologic carbon dioxide sequestration spatial data and associated geologic reports is available here.

Our interactive web map includes investigated basins, assessed areas, stratigraphic columns, and well density information.

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Geologic Carbon Dioxide Utilization Topics

The Utilization of Carbon and other Energy Gases – Geologic Research and Assessments project conducts science to:

  • Estimate how much oil can be produced by injecting CO2 into reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery
  • Estimate the amount of CO2 that could be stored in geologic reservoirs nationwide
  • Assess the environmental risks of storing CO2 in underground reservoirs, including the potential for CO2 leakage, impacts to drinking water, and induced seismicity
  • Evaluate the origin, distribution, and resource-potential of non-hydrocarbon natural gases
  • Evaluate subsurface geologic energy storage options including natural gas storage, compressed air storage, pumped hydroelectric storage, and geothermal storage

During the course of the Utilization of Carbon and other Energy Gases – Geologic Research and Assessments project, the following research and assessment topics are being investigated:

Slideshows Associated with Project Member Talks:

  • Carbon Dioxide Mineralization Feasibility in the United States [.pdf] [3.91 MB]
  • Subsurface Carbon and Energy Storage Resource Assessments [.pdf] [1.74 MB]
  • Federal lands greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration – a modified EPA methodology [.pdf]
  • A Pressure-limited Model to Estimate CO2 Injection and Storage Capacity of Saline Formations: Investigating the Effects of Formation Properties, Model Variables and Presence of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs [.pdf] [1.2 MB]
  • Enhanced Oil Recovery and Residual Oil Zone Studies at the U.S. Geological Survey [.pdf] [2.0 MB]
  • Overview of USGS Carbon Sequestration - Geologic Research and Assessments Project [.pdf] [2.1 MB]
  • Microseismicity Monitoring at the Decatur, IL, CO2 Sequestration Demonstration Site [.pdf] [8.9 MB]
  • Status Report: Estimating greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels produced from Federal lands [.pdf] [1.2 MB]
  • A Probabilistic Assessment Methodology for Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery and Associated Carbon Dioxide Retention [.pdf] [.67 MB]
  • A Database and Probabilistic Assessment Methodology for Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery and Associated Carbon Dioxide Retention in the United States [.pdf] [1.7 MB]
  • Enhanced Oil Recovery and CO2 Resource Studies at the U.S. Geological Survey [.pdf] [1.2 MB]
  • Induced Seismicity Monitoring at the Decatur, IL, CO2 Sequestration Demonstration Site [YouTube]
  • U.S. Geological Survey National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources and Associated Research [.pdf] [2.3 MB]
  • U.S. Geological Survey National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources and Associated Research [.pdf] [2.6 MB]
  • National Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resources - Results [.pdf] [2.2 MB]
  • Development Philosophy of an Assessment Methodology for Hydrocarbon Recovery Potential Using CO2-EOR Associated with Carbon Sequestration [.pdf] [.57 MB]
  • U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resource Assessment of the United States - 2012 Project Update [.pdf] [3.9 MB]
  • Examining Salinity Restrictions for CO2 Storage: Suggestions from Basin to Reservoir Scales [.pdf] [1.9 MB]
  • Using ArcGIS to Identify Environmental Risk Factors Associated with CO2 Storage [.pdf] [1.7 MB]
  • A Probabilistic Assessment Methodology for the Evaluation of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage [.pdf] [1.4 MB]
  • CO2 Fluid Flow Modeling to Derive the Time Scales of Lateral Fluid Migration [.pdf] [1.2 MB]
  • U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resource Assessment of the United States - Project Update [.pdf] [3.3 MB]

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

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Economics of Energy Transitions Task 4 Representation Image

Economics of Energy Transitions

This task conducts research to characterize or evaluate the economics of developing technologies or markets in geologic resources. Such research can analyze the relative risks, costs, and benefits from the utilization and not just the extraction of underground resource. Economic analysis builds upon the geologic resource assessment work by other tasks in the Utilization of Carbon and other Energy...
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Economics of Energy Transitions

This task conducts research to characterize or evaluate the economics of developing technologies or markets in geologic resources. Such research can analyze the relative risks, costs, and benefits from the utilization and not just the extraction of underground resource. Economic analysis builds upon the geologic resource assessment work by other tasks in the Utilization of Carbon and other Energy...
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Geologic Energy Storage Project Banner

Geologic Energy Storage

The United States (U.S.) domestic energy supply increasingly relies on natural gas and renewable sources; however, their efficient use is limited by supply and demand constraints. For example, a) in summer, natural gas production may outpace home heating fuel demand and b) in daytime, wind and solar electricity production may outpace industrial power requirements. Storing rather than dumping...
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Geologic Energy Storage

The United States (U.S.) domestic energy supply increasingly relies on natural gas and renewable sources; however, their efficient use is limited by supply and demand constraints. For example, a) in summer, natural gas production may outpace home heating fuel demand and b) in daytime, wind and solar electricity production may outpace industrial power requirements. Storing rather than dumping...
Learn More
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Abandoned Mines Assessing Emissions Task 1 Representation Thumb

Assessing Emissions from Active and Abandoned Coal Mines

The gas emission zone liberates and accumulates significant amounts of coal mine methane as a by-product of active mining. In most active mines, coal mine methane is controlled by wellbores, called gob gas ventholes. Despite the presence of these wellbores, it is not possible to capture all of the methane generated within the gas emission zone. As a consequence, a large amount of gas migrates into...
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Assessing Emissions from Active and Abandoned Coal Mines

The gas emission zone liberates and accumulates significant amounts of coal mine methane as a by-product of active mining. In most active mines, coal mine methane is controlled by wellbores, called gob gas ventholes. Despite the presence of these wellbores, it is not possible to capture all of the methane generated within the gas emission zone. As a consequence, a large amount of gas migrates into...
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CO2 Task 3 Induced Seismicity Thumb

Induced Seismicity Associated with Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage

As a national science agency, the USGS is responsible for assessing hazards from earthquakes throughout the United States. The USGS studies induced seismicity across the spectrum of energy issues: carbon sequestration, geothermal energy, and conventional and unconventional oil and gas. In the central and eastern United States, earthquakes induced by fluid injection activities contribute...
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Induced Seismicity Associated with Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage

As a national science agency, the USGS is responsible for assessing hazards from earthquakes throughout the United States. The USGS studies induced seismicity across the spectrum of energy issues: carbon sequestration, geothermal energy, and conventional and unconventional oil and gas. In the central and eastern United States, earthquakes induced by fluid injection activities contribute...
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CO2 Task 2 Energy Related Thumb

Geologic Carbon Dioxide and Energy-related Storage, Gas Resources, and Utilization

The objectives of this task are to conduct relevant research needed to 1) evaluate helium (He) and CO2 resources; 2) support future assessments of low-thermal gases and better understand their resources and potential for use as analogues for anthropogenic CO2 storage; 3) study the feasibility of large-scale CO2 mineralization in the United States; 4) develop pressure-limited dynamic models for...
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Geologic Carbon Dioxide and Energy-related Storage, Gas Resources, and Utilization

The objectives of this task are to conduct relevant research needed to 1) evaluate helium (He) and CO2 resources; 2) support future assessments of low-thermal gases and better understand their resources and potential for use as analogues for anthropogenic CO2 storage; 3) study the feasibility of large-scale CO2 mineralization in the United States; 4) develop pressure-limited dynamic models for...
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CO2 Task 1 Methodology Thumb

Methodology Development and Assessment of National Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery and Associated Carbon Dioxide Storage Potential

The objective of this research task is to conduct a national assessment of recoverable oil related to CO2 injection. The amount of CO2 stored (utilized) during the hydrocarbon recovery process will also be evaluated.
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center
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Methodology Development and Assessment of National Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery and Associated Carbon Dioxide Storage Potential

The objective of this research task is to conduct a national assessment of recoverable oil related to CO2 injection. The amount of CO2 stored (utilized) during the hydrocarbon recovery process will also be evaluated.
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Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Dataset of Helium Concentrations in United States Wells

This dataset provides national scale location information for known, publicly available, data on helium gas concentrations, reported in mol%. The dataset was created as part of the effort by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct an assessment of helium resources in accordance with the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013, Public Law 113-40. The data were collected from the USGS Energy Ge
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Model of groundwater flow, gas migration, and reactive transport in the Virgin River Basin, SW Utah

To better understand the possible risks posed to shallow groundwater resources by geologic carbon sequestration (GCS), a multi-scale numerical modeling approach was invoked using the TOUGHREACT code from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The code solves coupled equations representing conservation of mass and energy on a finite difference grid to simulate multiphase, multicomponent, non-isothe
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geospatial Data for a Preliminary GIS Representation of Deep Coal Areas for Carbon Dioxide Storage in the Contiguous United States and Alaska

These geospatial data and their accompanying report outline many areas of coal in the United States beneath more than 3,000 ft of overburden. Based on depth, these areas may be targets for injection and storage of supercritical carbon dioxide. Additional areas where coal exists beneath more than 1,000 ft of overburden are also outlined; these may be targets for geologic storage of carbon dioxide i
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Federal Lands Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sequestration in the United States: Estimates 2005-14 - Data Release

This dataset includes ten years of emissions and sequestration estimates (2005-2014) in two separate tables, 1) the combustion and extraction of fossil fuels on Federal lands and 2) processes from the ecosystems on those Federal lands. The fossil fuel related estimates include the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), and the ecosystems estimates include on
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Mercury injection capillary pressure data in the U.S. Gulf Coast Tuscaloosa Group in Mississippi and Louisiana collected 2015 to 2017

This data release contains mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), pseudo-wetting saturation, and carbon dioxide (CO2) column height data for subsurface Tuscaloosa Group samples from Mississippi and Louisiana.
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Microbiology of the greater Bravo Dome region

Bravo Dome is a commercial natural CO2 field that supplies the gas to depleted oil fields for enhanced oil recovery. In order to understand the distribution of CO2 across the greater Bravo Dome region, including southeastern Colorado and northwestern New Mexico, and to assess the impacts of high CO2 concentrations on microbes in the subsurface, 7 samples were collected from sites associated with h
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Below are multimedia items associated with this project.

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Oil, gas, and water separation vessels at a carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery operation
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CO2CRC carbon dioxide injection well, Victoria, Australia
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Geologic CO2 Sequestration Illustration Image
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Image shows a map of geologic carbon storage potential throughout the United States
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Below are publications associated with this project.

Filter Total Items: 87

National assessment of helium resources within known natural gas reservoirs

Using available data, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated that 306 billion cubic feet of recoverable helium is presently within the known geologic natural gas reservoirs of the United States.
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Single-well production history matching and geostatistical modeling as proxy to multi-well reservoir simulation for evaluating dynamic reservoir properties of coal seams

Reservoir properties of coal seams such as gas and water effective permeabilities and gas content, as well as spatial distributions thereof, affect the success of gas production and CO2-enhanced gas recovery (EGR) with simultaneous CO2 sequestration. These properties change during production and injection operations due to variations in reservoir pressure, matrix shrinkage/swelling, and water satu
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Assessing gas leakage potential into coal mines from shale gas well failures: Inference from field determination of strata permeability responses to longwall-induced deformations

This paper summarizes the changes in permeability at three boreholes located above an abutment pillar at a longwall coal mine in southwestern Pennsylvania. The motivation of this study was to better characterize the potential interaction between shale gas wells and the mine environment, through measurement of permeability changes in the coal mine overburden caused by mining-induced deformations. M
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Potential Pb+2 mobilization, transport, and sequestration in shallow aquifers impacted by multiphase CO2 leakage: A natural analogue study from the Virgin River Basin in Southwest Utah

Geological carbon sequestration (GCS) is necessary to help meet emissions reduction goals, but groundwater contamination may occur if CO2 and/or brine were to leak out of deep storage formations into the shallow subsurface. For this study, a natural analogue was investigated: in the Virgin River Basin of southwest Utah, water with moderate salinity and high CO2 concentrations is leaking upward int
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Computational methodology to analyze the effect of mass transfer rate on attenuation of leaked carbon dioxide in shallow aquifers

Exsolution and re-dissolution of CO2 gas within heterogeneous porous media are investigated using experimental data and mathematical modeling. In a set of bench-scale experiments, water saturated with CO2 under a given pressure is injected into a 2-D water-saturated porous media system, causing CO2 gas to exsolve and migrate upwards. A layer of fine sand mimicking a heterogeneity within a shallow
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Estimating the net costs of brine production and disposal to expand pressure-limited dynamic capacity for basin-scale CO2 storage in a saline formation

If carbon capture and storage (CCS) needs to be deployed at basin- or larger-scale, it is likely that multiple sites will be injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into the same geologic formation. This could lead to excessive pressure buildup, overlapping induced pressure fronts, and pressure interference with neighboring uses of the subsurface. Extracting the in situ brine from the storage formation cou
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Characterization of the unconventional Tuscaloosa marine shale reservoir in southwestern Mississippi, USA: Insights from optical and SEM petrography

This study presents new optical petrography and electron microscopy data, interpreted in the context of previously published petrophysical, geochemical, and mineralogical data, to further characterize the Tuscaloosa marine shale (TMS) as an unconventional reservoir in southwestern Mississippi. The basal high resistivity zone has a higher proportion of Type II sedimentary organic matter than the ov
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Electron Microbeam Laboratory

Modeling geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide in a deep saline carbonate reservoir with TOUGH2–ChemPlugin, a new tool for reactive transport modeling

This paper outlines the development and demonstration of a new tool, TOUGH2–ChemPlugin (T2CPI) for predicting rock–water–CO2 interaction following injection of supercritical CO2 into a heterogeneous carbonate system. Specifically, modeling capabilities of TOUGH2, which examines multiphase flow and supercritical CO2 behavior, were combined with the geochemical modeling capabilities of The Geochemis
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Compositional analysis of formation water geochemistry and microbiology of commercial and carbon dioxide-rich wells in the southwestern United States

Studies of naturally occurring subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) accumulations can provide useful information for potential CO2 injection projects; however, the microbial communities and formation water geochemistry of most reservoirs are understudied. Formation water and microbial biomass were sampled at four CO2-rich reservoir sites: two within Bravo Dome, a commercial CO2 field in New Mexico; one
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center, Reston Microbiology Laboratory

Methodology for estimating the prospective CO2 storage resource of residual oil zones at the national and regional scale

Residual oil zones (ROZs) are increasingly gaining interest as potential reservoirs for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. Here, we present a national- and regional-scale methodology for estimating prospective CO2 storage resources in residual oil zones. This methodology uses a volumetric equation that accounts for CO2 storage as a free phase in pore space and as a dissolved phase in oil and does not a
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

A probabilistic assessment methodology for carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery and associated carbon dioxide retention

The U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 authorized the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a national assessment of the potential volume of hydrocarbons recoverable by injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) into known oil reservoirs with historical production. The implementation of CO2 enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) techniques could increase the U.S. recoverable hydrocarbon resource
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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Dimensional effects of inter-phase mass transfer on attenuation of structurally trapped gaseous carbon dioxide in shallow aquifers

Based on experimental evidence and using mathematical modeling, inter-phase mass transfer processes of CO2 exsolving from and dissolving into water in heterogeneous porous media are investigated under two fundamentally different flow conditions: in a quasi one dimensional vertical column and in a two-dimensional tank with a lateral background water flow, both at laboratory scale. In both cases, th
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Water Resources, Energy Resources Program

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

Utilization of Carbon and other Energy Gases - Data Downloads

This is a list of all published data available from the Utilization of Carbon and other Energy Gases - Geologic Research and Assessments Project from 2012 through 2019.  This list will be updated as new data sets are published.

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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Geologic Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Interactive Map

The Geologic CO2 Sequestration interactive web map includes investigated basins, assessed areas, stratigraphic columns, and well density information.

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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Federal Lands Emissions and Sequestration in the United States: Estimates 2005-14

This website is a data visualization companion to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report titled Federal Lands Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sequestration in the United States: Estimates 2005-14. The maps and charts on this site include the estimated emissions and sequestration from both fossil fuel activities and ecosystem processes on Federal lands only.

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Energy Resources Program, Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center

Below are news stories associated with this project.

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USGS Estimates 306 Billion Cubic Feet of Recoverable Helium in the United States

The natural gas reservoirs of the United States contain an estimated 306 billion cubic feet of recoverable helium, according to a new report from the...

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USGS Releases A New Assessment Methodology for Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery and Associated Carbon Dioxide Retention

The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a new assessment method to estimate how much oil and gas could be produced by injecting carbon dioxide into...

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Making Minerals-How Growing Rocks Can Help Reduce Carbon Emissions

Following an assessment of geologic carbon storage potential in sedimentary rocks, the USGS has published a comprehensive review of potential carbon...

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USGS Releases Three Approaches for Estimating Recovery Factors in Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery

The U.S. Geological Survey has evaluated three methods for estimating how much oil and gas could be produced by injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into...

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Below are FAQ associated with this project.

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Orthoimage of a four-way interchange, Los Angeles, CA

How does carbon get into the atmosphere?

Atmospheric carbon dioxide comes from two primary sources—natural and human activities. Natural sources of carbon dioxide include most animals, which exhale carbon dioxide as a waste product. Human activities that lead to carbon dioxide emissions come primarily from energy production, including burning coal, oil, or natural gas.Learn more: Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (EPA)

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How does carbon get into the atmosphere?

Atmospheric carbon dioxide comes from two primary sources—natural and human activities. Natural sources of carbon dioxide include most animals, which exhale carbon dioxide as a waste product. Human activities that lead to carbon dioxide emissions come primarily from energy production, including burning coal, oil, or natural gas.Learn more: Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (EPA)

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WERC Redwood forest field photo

Has the USGS made any Biologic Carbon Sequestration assessments?

The USGS is congressionally mandated (2007 Energy Independence and Security Act) to conduct a comprehensive national assessment of storage and flux (flow) of carbon and the fluxes of other greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide) in ecosystems.At this writing, reports have been completed for Alaska, the Eastern U.S., the Great Plains, and the Western U.S.Learn more: LandCarbon

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Has the USGS made any Biologic Carbon Sequestration assessments?

The USGS is congressionally mandated (2007 Energy Independence and Security Act) to conduct a comprehensive national assessment of storage and flux (flow) of carbon and the fluxes of other greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide) in ecosystems.At this writing, reports have been completed for Alaska, the Eastern U.S., the Great Plains, and the Western U.S.Learn more: LandCarbon

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Image: Coal Burning Power Plant

How much carbon dioxide does the United States and the World emit each year from energy sources?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2019, the United States emitted 5.1 billion metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide, while the global emissions of energy-related carbon dioxide totaled 33.1 billion metric tons.

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How much carbon dioxide does the United States and the World emit each year from energy sources?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2019, the United States emitted 5.1 billion metric tons of energy-related carbon dioxide, while the global emissions of energy-related carbon dioxide totaled 33.1 billion metric tons.

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Image shows a drill core in a box with cardboard dividers

Which area is the best for geologic carbon sequestration?

It is difficult to characterize one area as “the best” for carbon sequestration because the answer depends on the question: best for what? However, the area of the assessment with the most storage potential for carbon dioxide is the Coastal Plains region, which includes coastal basins from Texas to Georgia. That region accounts for 2,000 metric gigatons, or 65 percent, of the storage potential...

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Which area is the best for geologic carbon sequestration?

It is difficult to characterize one area as “the best” for carbon sequestration because the answer depends on the question: best for what? However, the area of the assessment with the most storage potential for carbon dioxide is the Coastal Plains region, which includes coastal basins from Texas to Georgia. That region accounts for 2,000 metric gigatons, or 65 percent, of the storage potential...

Learn More
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imaging from Mars

How much carbon dioxide can the United States store via geologic sequestration?

In 2013, the USGS released the first-ever comprehensive, nation-wide assessment of geologic carbon sequestration, which estimates a mean storage potential of 3,000 metric gigatons of carbon dioxide. The assessment is the first geologically-based, probabilistic assessment, with a range of 2,400 to 3,700 metric gigatons of potential carbon dioxide storage. In addition, the assessment is for the...

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How much carbon dioxide can the United States store via geologic sequestration?

In 2013, the USGS released the first-ever comprehensive, nation-wide assessment of geologic carbon sequestration, which estimates a mean storage potential of 3,000 metric gigatons of carbon dioxide. The assessment is the first geologically-based, probabilistic assessment, with a range of 2,400 to 3,700 metric gigatons of potential carbon dioxide storage. In addition, the assessment is for the...

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Uncovering the Ecosystem Service Value of Carbon Sequestration in National Parks. Photo by Robert Crootof, NPS.

What’s the difference between geologic and biologic carbon sequestration?

Geologic carbon sequestration is the process of storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in underground geologic formations. The CO2 is usually pressurized until it becomes a liquid, and then it is injected into porous rock formations in geologic basins. This method of carbon storage is also sometimes a part of enhanced oil recovery, otherwise known as tertiary recovery, because it is typically used later in...

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What’s the difference between geologic and biologic carbon sequestration?

Geologic carbon sequestration is the process of storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in underground geologic formations. The CO2 is usually pressurized until it becomes a liquid, and then it is injected into porous rock formations in geologic basins. This method of carbon storage is also sometimes a part of enhanced oil recovery, otherwise known as tertiary recovery, because it is typically used later in...

Learn More
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Major Carbon Pools

What is carbon sequestration?

Carbon dioxide is the most commonly produced greenhouse gas. Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change. The USGS is conducting assessments on two major types of carbon sequestration: geologic and biologic.

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What is carbon sequestration?

Carbon dioxide is the most commonly produced greenhouse gas. Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It is one method of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere with the goal of reducing global climate change. The USGS is conducting assessments on two major types of carbon sequestration: geologic and biologic.

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Below are partners associated with this project.

Archer Daniels Midland

Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

DOE-National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)

Gulf Coast Carbon Center (GCCC)

Gulf of Mexico Partnership for Offshore Carbon Storage (GoMCarb)

Illinois State Geological Survey

Incorporated Research Institutes for Seismology (IRIS)

Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium - Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (ICCS) project

Stanford Center for Carbon Storage

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)