Northern California CO2 Reduction Project

CO2 is stored between the pores in a sandstone-type rock, as pictured above, where it mixes with brine and becomes permanently trapped. (Image courtesy of Sally Benson, Stanford University, Global Climate & Energy Project)

The objective of the Northern California CO2 Reduction Project is to show that CO2 can be safely stored in an underground saline formation. This type of geological formation was identified in a rural area of the Montezuma Hills in Solano County, California. The project will demonstrate the ability to store carbon dioxide (similar to the CO2 found in carbonated beverages) underground and prevent it from being released to the atmosphere. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) represents a new application for proven technology. It has been identified by a wide range of energy experts, scientists, and officials as crucial to reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

This small-scale project is a collaborative undertaking between WESTCARB and C6 Resources, an affiliate of Shell Oil Company that will be responsible for the construction, operation, and other on-site aspects of carbon dioxide storage. The project is focused on permitting and storing approximately 6,000 tons of CO2.

Should the project confirm that CO2 underground storage in this area is viable, a second project to store larger volumes of CO2 may be implemented based on a number of factors, including the economic feasibility of a project to capture, transport, and store large volumes of CO2. Shell was recently awarded approximately $3 million from the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 to investigate the feasibility of a large-scale project.

As society looks to combat the effects of climate change by creating greener energy alternatives, carbon capture and storage presents a major opportunity for both the environment and the regional economy.

Project Overview:


Geologic "stratigraphic column" rendering of the project site, showing the caprock layers that can contain injected CO₂.

The site will include a gravel well pad and two wells that will be approximately 150 feet apart.
The injection well will be constructed from steel casing designed to withstand earthquakes.
The second well will be constructed for monitoring purposes. Scientists will monitor the site after injection begins.
About 10 trucks per day over a two-month period will bring CO2 to the site.
Approximately 6,000 tons of CO2 will be injected 11,000 feet (about 2 miles) underground.
The CO2 will be injected via the well into a permeable sandstone layer beneath multiple impermeable shale rock layers. The permeable layer works like a sandstone drink coaster. CO2 becomes trapped in the spaces between the grains of sand in the formation and is thereby stored away from the atmosphere.

Project Roles

WESTCARB is the project technical advisor and will conduct research and monitoring of the storage site.
Shell, as one of WESTCARB’s members, will be responsible for the construction, operations, and other on-site aspects of the project. Shell has committed $1 million of in-kind services to support permit application preparation, acquisition of property rights, construction of access roads and drill site, and completion of two wells. Shell is providing this support because it has the requisite operating experience and is committed to demonstrating the viability of CCS technology.

Participating Experts and Agencies

WESTCARB includes some of the leading experts in CCS, as well as key environmental and energy stakeholders, such as:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Stanford University - Global Climate and Energy Project
University of California, Davis
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
U.S. Department of Energy
California Air Resources Board
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
California Energy Commission
Solano County
Shell Oil Company

About Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon capture and storage is a technology where carbon dioxide from industrial sources is captured and safely injected and trapped underground, instead of being released into the atmosphere. CCS can help reduce carbon dioxide buildup in the atmosphere, which is a contributing factor to global warming and climate change.

Additional Information on Carbon Capture and Storage

Community involvement is a key part of our work, and we want to hear your feedback. If you are interested in learning more about this project, would like to have representatives from WESTCARB/Shell address your service club or civic group, or wish to help engage the community on this subject, please contact us. We also welcome telephone calls or e-mails with any comments, questions, or concerns.

Toll-free information hotline: 1-877-697-5563
Local information hotline: 707-938-3319
E-mail: info@caco2reduction.com