Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) is a three-step process where industrial carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions are captured, transported, and permanently sequestered deep underground, thereby preventing release into the atmosphere.

DTE Vantage and The Andersons Marathon Holdings are proposing this project to further reduce the carbon intensity of bioethanol produced at the Clymers Ethanol facility. The proposed project will capture CO₂ emissions from the bioethanol fermentation process, a key step in the bioethanol production process. The project will then take the CO₂ captured and sequester it deep underground, either directly at the Clymers facility or in very close proximity.  CCS at the plant will help ensure that ethanol remains a cost-effective and competitive transportation fuel in the marketplace. It will help protect the economic viability of the bioethanol facility, preserve local jobs, support local farmers, and reduce carbon emissions.

The Andersons Marathon Holdings’ Clymers facility produces ethanol and CO₂ is a product of that production. As part of the proposed project, Vantage would be responsible for the engineering, design, and construction of the compression and storage equipment and process.

CO₂ is stored underground by injecting it through wells into rock formations specially selected and carefully evaluated to ensure the CO₂ can be sequestered permanently and safely. Following injection, the CO₂ will remain within the injection zone and be confined by the caprock, or the sealing rock above the injection zone. Appropriate rock formations for injection are located thousands of feet below the surface and consist of rocks that can hold the CO₂. One example of an appropriate rock is sandstone, which is like beach sand that has been formed into rock over time and accommodates CO₂ in its tiny pore spaces. Above the storage formation are “sealing” formations that prevent the CO₂ from escaping. One example of a sealing rock (or caprock) is shale, which is like mud that has been formed into solid rock over time.

The sequestration process is used because it replicates the natural processes that have held water, oil, and gas underground for millions of years. When sequestration sites are properly selected and used, CO₂ is expected to remain stored permanently without escaping into the atmosphere. When the CO₂ is injected into the sequestration formation, there are four types of trapping that occur to keep CO₂ permanently underground due to solubility and structural trapping (see question 14 below for information on the four types of trapping). The CO₂ is eventually converted to rock over thousands of years.

There are currently two bioethanol facilities in North Dakota and one in Illinois sequestering CO₂. ADM’s project in Decatur, IL, has been in operation since 2011. There are several other bioethanol projects currently awaiting approval from the EPA

We plan to construct well sites with non-invasive lighting at the site, which will not create additional noise.

During the drilling phase (20 to 30 days for each well), the site will have additional lighting and create some additional noise, but our crews will work to minimize these impacts.

Vantage’s agreements with landowners do not obtain mineral rights or permission to complete surface activities other than those specifically outlined in relation to this project. Oil, gas and mineral rights will not be impacted. Surface activities will also not be restricted, aside from small buffer zones around the wellbores. The sequestration formation has no use other than as a storage reservoir; landowners can develop and monetize oil and gas resources above CO₂ storage layer.

Not without a separate agreement granting specific approval. Signing a Subsurface Easement doesn’t allow Vantage to construct any permanent access or surface facilities on someone’s property. Damage provisions are in the agreement in the event there is damage during any approved surface activities such as seismic acquisition. The well site will naturally require vehicle access; therefore, we prefer to build well sites near an existing road. The need for additional electrical service will depend on a well’s location.

The CO₂ will be confined to approximately 1 mile from the injection well. Landowners above the CO₂ storage area have been notified of the project and have been offered an option agreement to participate.

Geological storage is safe for many reasons. There are natural barriers, such as the multiple containment formations made of impermeable rock and substantial pressure over the formation, which keeps the CO₂ in a dense state. There are also manmade, engineered barriers such as the specialty cement around the casing that resists chemical change, as well as multiple casings over the center pipe injection line that contains the CO₂ within the injection well and injection zone.

In addition, before CO₂ can be sequestered underground, stringent federal and state regulations require project operators to evaluate and address all risks. This evaluation includes carefully and thoroughly understanding the underground rock formations for their ability to trap CO₂ and make sure it will remain in place. We are performing such testing on this site, and if geological conditions do not meet these stringent requirements, no sequestration will take place.

The geology is selected to ensure there is a very low permeability (solid) caprock above the injection zone where the CO₂ is stored. CO₂ is unable to pass through the caprock. Above the caprock are additional layers of rock with low permeability, keeping the CO₂ trapped underground. The well itself is constructed with a cement casing around the steel pipe injection line that runs the entire length of the well and is impenetrable by CO₂.

Pressure, temperature, and CO₂ injection rate are continuously monitored at the well. Our project plans include automatic alarms and surface shut-off systems, as well as a monitoring well to ensure the formation is securely holding the sequestered CO₂. In addition to the continuous measurement and monitoring, fluid sampling and mechanical integrity testing are performed regularly on the project wells. In the long term, there are periodic 3D seismic studies to monitor the underground location of the CO₂.

The CCS process seeks to mimic natural processes that have held fluids underground for millions of years. Steps are taken to ensure that the process mimics the natural one as closely as possible and that CO₂ sequestration is permanent. Those steps can be broadly broken down into four categories:

• Site Selection
  • Potential CCS sites must be thoroughly assessed to determine whether the geology is appropriate for permanent sequestration.
• Monitoring
  • During and after CO₂ injection, a variety of techniques must be used concurrently to monitor the site and ensure CO₂ remains in the sequestration formation deep underground.
• Reporting
  • Results from monitoring are reported to the US EPA who ensures the project is functioning and being operated safely as planned.
• Verification
  • Data gathered at the site must be compared to modeling simulations of the CO₂ in the subsurface. Those models need to be refined based on observed data. Third parties may be called upon to verify that data and information reported by the project operator are accurate.

If we pursue the project, the site will fully comply with the EPA’s regulations on protecting underground sources of drinking water. We have notified the EPA of our detailed plans for long-term and safe CO₂ sequestration and how it will not impact nearby drinking water reservoirs.

Underground geological formations are key to determining potential locations for CCS sites. Above ground, CCS sites are inconspicuous and unnoteworthy. The Clymers facility  is anticipated to include a handful of wells and little other surface infrastructure. Except for the well’s immediate vicinity, normal surface activities such as farming can continue undisturbed. If the need for targeted surface use arises, landowners within the targeted areas would be contacted to discuss agreements and compensation. While the exact location for the Clymers project has not yet been selected, we expect the area to include test and monitoring wells, an injection point, and possibly access roads, most of which will be located on plant property. Overall, the surface areas of a CCS project see minimal impact.  CCS sites do require limited surface use at specific locations, but the surface sites are minimal in size.

CCS deployment will have a significant impact on economic development for the local communities where the projects exist. We plan to utilize local services and equipment/material providers where possible. On the broader scale, CCS presents the ability to invest in technology-driven capture infrastructure and large-scale transportation and storage networks, which can create both temporary and permanent, local high-paying jobs during the project development, construction, operation, and decommissioning phases.  We anticipate sequestration activities would support an estimated 20 – 40 jobs during construction and one to two long-term operations roles.

The Andersons Marathon Holdings and Vantage are committed to being long-term community partners, which means supporting local organizations, charities, and causes. There are direct economic benefits from projects like this. If this project proceeds, there will be property tax payments, and jobs will be created both during construction and for long-term maintenance. Landowner payments and the continued sustainability of the bioethanol facility ensure a strong market for corn producers in the area.

We have already had extensive contact with landowners adjacent to the proposed project, including face-to-face meetings with those who requested them. We have also met with local elected and regulatory officials to provide them with information about the proposed project and answer their questions. We are committed to working with the communities in and surrounding the Clymers CCS project to ensure we are providing the appropriate educational awareness around our CCS project and its corresponding impacts to all relevant stakeholders. We will hold discussions with local leaders and residents to address any questions.

We have created a website and other materials to further explain CCS and the Clymers project. We are engaging the community and spreading information through signage and handouts.

We also plan to ensure zoning is addressed appropriately and transparently by following all applicable local zoning ordinances when developing our project.