The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued three final Underground Injection Control Class VI permits to ExxonMobil for a project in Jefferson County, Texas. These permits, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, allow ExxonMobil to convert three existing test wells into carbon dioxide storage injection wells for long-term storage.
Scott Mason, EPA Regional Administrator, said, "Texas has successfully managed underground injection wells for decades while protecting drinking water, and I'm confident they'll continue this success with Class VI wells." He added that these permits advance ExxonMobil's Rose carbon storage project by creating jobs and protecting health and the environment through advanced technology.
Barry Engle, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions, expressed appreciation for the EPA's efforts under the Trump administration to issue these permits. "It marks an important step in strengthening America’s energy industry through safe, permanent CO₂ storage," he said. Engle emphasized that carbon capture and storage projects will foster growth and economic opportunity.
Class VI injection wells are designed to store CO2 deep underground after it is captured from emissions sources or the atmosphere. The permits allow ExxonMobil to inject between 1.1 and 1.67 million metric tons of CO2 per year into each well, with a total maximum of 5 million metric tons annually across all three wells. Over a 13-year period, up to 53 million metric tons of CO2 could be injected.
EPA regulations require comprehensive site analyses by ExxonMobil to ensure environmental protection during construction and operation. This includes preventing drinking water contamination and human-induced seismic activity. All operational plans must meet site-specific conditions covering construction materials, mechanical integrity, and emergency response protocols.
The EPA proposed approval of the permits in August this year and gathered public comments through a virtual hearing. Final permit documents and responses to public comments are available on the docket. More information about the EPA’s Class VI Program can be found on their webpage.
Information from this article can be found here.
