Back to all news

BIL – Carbon Offshore Storage in Mustang Island Corpus Christi (Project CO2SMICC)

Drs. Coffin and Abdulla will be working on the CO2SMICC project contracted through Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) and this project is organized with Repsol for offshore CO2 storage. Oversight for this project is conducted by Southern States Energy Board.  TAMU-CC and SCLLC is responsible for monitoring and environmental health impact and prediction of long term CO2 storage.  This project is supported by DOE – NETL.

BIL – Carbon Offshore Storage in Mustang Island Corpus Christi (Project CO2SMICC)
The Carbon Offshore Storage in Mustang Island Corpus Christi project (Project CO2SMICC or Project) will establish an offshore, commercial-scale CO2 storage site located in the offshore Texas state waters off the coast of Corpus Christi in Nueces County. The Project builds upon characterization activities that reveal the site is capable of storing a minimum of 50 million metric tons of captured CO2. The proposed CarbonSAFE Phase III activities coupled with a highly qualified and experienced Project Team will ensure that the requisite geologic characterization and permitting activities meet or exceed the qualifications for selection to start a CarbonSAFE Initiative Phase IV project.

Project CO2SMICC is a critical step forward in addressing the nation’s decarbonization goals. Approximately 35 million tonnes of CO2 emissions are released annually from about 50 industrial and power facilities within a 100-mile radius of the offshore Mustang Island tract, including the Corpus Christi metropolitan area. Announced expansion and greenfield projects in the region will add potential emissions as well. In providing a decarbonization solution for these existing and new facilities, the Project will accelerate detailed site characterization activities necessary to prepare and submit all NEPA and permit requirements and develop applicable technical and economic plans to support future construction and operational phases. Project CO2SMICC objectives include: 1) maturing contingent storage resources; 2) implementing a local Community Benefits Plan (CBP); 3) acquiring baseline data for the monitoring program; 4) submitting and obtaining first-of-its-kind Underground Injection Control Class VI Permit(s) to Construct for an offshore facility; 5) completing the NEPA process; 6) completing CO2 source and transportation studies; 7) defining storage field development, business, financial, and commercialization plans; and 8) managing risks for the Phase III and prospective Phase IV CarbonSAFE programs, as well as future commercial operations.

The Recipient will develop an Environmental Information Volume and characterize the target formations by utilizing existing and newly acquired geological and geophysical data. A characterization well will be drilled and completed from which core, geophysical well logs, and well tests will be collected and conducted. The Recipient will prepare and subsequently submit its UIC Class VI application(s) and complete a Storage Field Development Plan, Financial Plans and Arrangements, and Commercialization Plan. The Recipient also will develop a CBP, initiating a broad engagement effort to promote collaboration among local agencies, businesses, academic institutions, and stakeholders. Finally, the documentation for the required NEPA class of action (Categorical Exclusion, Environmental Assessment, or Environmental Impact Statement) for Phase IV will be submitted and clearance obtained.

Project CO2SMICC is led by the Southern States Energy Board (Applicant, Lead PI: Kenneth J. Nemeth) in collaboration with Repsol E&P USA LLC on behalf of  its affiliated commercial Joint Venture (CO2 transportation and storage lease holder of the Texas General Land Office’s offshore tract), Advanced Resources International, Inc., Texas A&M University Corpus-Christi’s College of Science and College of Business South Texas Economic Development Center, nearby CO2 emitters, community and labor stakeholders, and local vendors.