FAQs - Custom Carbon Capture & Storage Solutions

Lapis, founded in 2020 by a team of industry-leading experts, enables cost-effective decarbonization to energy-intensive industries through carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

CCS is an abbreviation for carbon capture and sequestration.

Lapis is a full-service CCS developer and operator that provides single-point responsibility from industry partner to sink. Creating value for all stakeholders – business partners, communities, investors, governments and employees – is the best foundation for a sustainable business.

Carbon sequestration is a proven method of injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into underground porous geologic formations for long-term storage. See this page for a brief description of CCS.

Yes, geologic sequestration is a permanent form of storage. Following the injection process, there are a variety of trapping mechanisms that allow for the CO2 to remain sequestered beneath the surface. These mechanisms include:

• Structural trapping, where the CO2 is physically restrained by sealing layers such as shale
• Residual trapping, where the CO2 becomes gradually held in place within the pore spaces in the rock
• Solubility trapping, where the CO2 is captured by dissolving into the formation water
• Mineral trapping, whereby the CO2 forms minerals over time in particular formations like limestones and calcite-cemented sandstones

CO2 has been injected into underground geologic formations for decades to improve oil and gas production by forcing out trapped petroleum. This practice, known as enhanced oil recovery, does not permanently sequester the carbon dioxide as it is continually recycled in the oil production process. However, extensive experience has been acquired concerning how to move carbon dioxide through pipelines, prevent its escape to surface along pre-existing well bores and how to construct injection wells that are safe, efficient and durable. Source

Projects that inject carbon dioxide into appropriate geologic formations for long-term storage are subject to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stringent Class VI regulations. Class VI well requirements are designed and engineered to protect underground sources of drinking water (USDW) and ensure safe long-term CO2 storage. Learn more about Class VI wells. Please refer to this document for background on the Class VI process.

Monitoring requirements continually assess injection well integrity, the CO2 injection and storage process and groundwater quality during the injection operation and the post-injection site care period. The EPA developed several criteria for Class VI wells, including:

• Monitoring requirements include all aspects of well integrity, CO2 injection and storage, and groundwater quality during the injection operation and the post-injection site care period.
• Financial responsibility requirements ensure the availability of funds over the life of a geologic sequestration project (including post-injection site care and emergency response).

Typically no - if surface access is required, a separate agreement will be negotiated for each landowner.

Proven and reliable, geologic sequestration safely stores carbon dioxide underground for the long term. Click to learn more about Safety

Contact Lapis Energy with any questions. We are your partner of choice for energy-intensive industries.