As residents of North Dakota, your feedback is invaluable in shaping the State’s ongoing efforts to safely and effectively capture, use, and store CO2. We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and questions related to carbon capture in North Dakota by completing this form.
North Dakota is known for, and extremely proud of its agriculture and energy production. As federal regulations continue to impose stricter standards on the oil, gas, biofuel, and coal industries, the state has seen a drastic increase in demand across all energy sectors for capturing, using, and permanently storing carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground.
CO2, not to be confused with carbon monoxide (CO), is a non-flammable, non-explosive, naturally occurring gas. It is exhaled by humans every time you breathe, and is used in hundreds of products including soda, dry ice and fire extinguishers; and is a necessary component in plant growth.
North Dakota’s unique geology – the same underground rock formations that make oil and gas production so successful – is perfectly suited for the permanent, safe storage of CO2 nearly a mile or more below the surface in deep, deep rock layers. Learn more about the science of CO2</sub >.
CO2 also has the potential to help exponentially extend the life of North Dakota oil fields through enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Learn more about the North Dakota Advantage
CO2 pipelines have been operating safely in the United States for more than 50 years – with more than 50 operating pipelines spanning over 5,000 miles today. These pipelines transport millions of metric tons of CO2 annually across entire regions of the country.
Unlike natural gas and liquid petroleum – which are transported through millions of miles of pipelines across the U.S. – CO2 is not flammable or explosive. These pipelines have stringent regulations, monitoring, and mitigation requirements.
Pipelines are also designed to safely operate under the pressures required to effectively transport CO2. For example, the Dakota Gas/Souris Valley CO2 Pipeline, which has been in operation in North Dakota for nearly 25 years, transports CO2 at over 2000 PSI. That pipeline is built for a maximum operating pressure of up to 2700 PSI. Before any CO2 is transported via pipeline, the pipes are hydrostatically tested, which means they are filled with fresh water or an inert gas at a pressure 125% of the maximum operating pressure to ensure their structural integrity.
While prolonged exposure to high concentrations of CO2 can be hazardous, the gas typically quickly evaporates into the air. In the unlikely event of a leak, pipeline systems are designed to automatically shutdown, ceasing all operations until the cause is determined and repaired, and a reporting process through North Dakota’s Unified Spill Reporting System is triggered.
Safety of CO2 transport and storage is ensured through rigorous site selection, extensive monitoring, and regulatory oversight. North Dakota requires extensive review and approval of plans to operate pipeline and storage facilities and inject CO2. All CO2 storage projects must include:
CO₂ storage facility operators must have the proper financial instruments and ability in place to cover the cost of any necessary corrective action, injection well plugging, post-injection site care/facility closure, and emergency and remedial response. These instruments must remain in place until the CO₂ storage facility is approved for closure.