Sweetwater Carbon Storage Hub Project Completes First Deep Characterization Well

A significant carbon management project led by Frontier Carbon Solutions LLC (Frontier) -- in partnership with the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) -- has completed the drilling of a deep characterization well. Drilling on a second well will begin as part of an effort to explore potential permanent carbon storage in southwest Wyoming.

Frontier’s project, the Sweetwater Carbon Storage Hub (SCS Hub), is the beneficiary of a grant from the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s Carbon Storage Assurance Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Initiative funded through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Alongside grant support from DOE and the Wyoming Energy Authority, Frontier is developing the SCS Hub to be a permanent carbon management solution to serve Wyoming’s critical hydrocarbon and mining industries, including trona mining operations and natural gas processing.

CarbonSAFE’s objective is to prove and develop storage hubs that can securely store 50 million or more metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂).

“The completion of our first well is a major milestone for this project and the state of Wyoming,” says Robby Rockey, Frontier president and co-CEO. “This achievement demonstrates our commitment to advancing practical and scalable carbon storage solutions to support Wyoming’s critical industries. The data and insights we’ve gained will be invaluable as we move forward with the development of the SCS Hub."

At a depth of more than 16,000 feet, it is among the deepest wells recently drilled in the state and will help characterize deep saline formations in the Green River Basin that are below known oil and gas targets.

The characterization well was drilled using Wyoming-based Cyclone Rig 35. Frontier also sourced a wide range of materials and consulting services from Wyoming-based companies, with total in-state expenditures across the two wells expected to exceed $10 million.

The SER-led research team in UW’s Center for Economic Geology Research (CEGR) now will begin primary characterization analyses of core and water samples, geologic modeling and creation of a detailed well log, paying particular attention to the potential target injection zone in the Nugget Sandstone formation at about 14,000 feet below the surface at the well site.

“This is a very exciting time for the SER team that brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the project in terms of carbon capture and storage characterization,” says CEGR program manager Zunsheng “John” Jiao, who also serves as the co-principal investigator of the project. “While we are able to take prior learnings from the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project and apply them here, each part of the state has its unique geological attributes and different challenges. This project has been pivotal in refining those learnings and significantly moving the needle forward on the science and engineering side of carbon storage.”

Beginning early this month, the second well will be equally noteworthy in a long list of “firsts” for the project. After procuring the first Class VI permits to construct ever issued by Wyoming’s Department of Environmental Quality following a rigorous review process, Frontier will aim to complete the second well under that Class VI umbrella for carbon management.

Final project requirements under Phase III will include robust environmental and baseline assessments, safety monitoring and structural analysis. The SER team also will conduct passive seismic testing and a CO₂ front-end engineering and design study.

“We are moving forward with the SCS Hub with strong confidence in our ability to prove the underlying science, the reliability of the technology and, above all, the safety of this vital project,” says Fred McLaughlin, CEGR director. “Strategically positioned to help Wyoming-specific industries, and in close proximity to ExxonMobil’s groundbreaking Shute Creek Carbon Storage Project, there is immense potential for this hub, further solidifying Wyoming’s leadership in responsible energy development.”

About Frontier Carbon Solutions LLC

Frontier is a leading developer of low-carbon infrastructure solutions across the Mountain West and Texas, specializing in integrated power generation and carbon capture and storage projects. The company is at the forefront of industrial decarbonization, providing scalable, permanent carbon storage and behind-the-meter power solutions to support growing regional energy demand. Frontier is a portfolio company of Tailwater Capital, an energy and environmental infrastructure private equity firm that has raised more than $4.9 billion in committed capital since inception.

For more information, visit www.frontierccus.com.

About the School of Energy Resources

UW’s SER collaborates with stakeholders at the state, national and international levels to develop energy technologies and policies to grow and support Wyoming’s robust energy sector. SER’s mission is to advance energy-driven economic development for the state, and it leads UW’s talent and resources for interdisciplinary research and outreach, fulfilling Wyoming’s promise to be a global leader in a thriving and sustainable energy future.

For more information about SER, visit www.uwyo.edu/ser.