Heidelberg Materials North America marked a significant milestone at its Mitchell, Ind., carbon capture and storage (CCS) project with test well drilling beginning last month.
The goal of the project is to characterize the subsurface geology at Heidelberg Materials’ Mitchell cement plant in southern Indiana. The plant is located in the Illinois Basin which is well known for its carbon storage potential.
“This is an exciting step for the project as we learn which potential formations may be suitable to permanently and safely store the CO2, said Greg Ronczka, vice president – carbon transport & storage development. “This knowledge will help us design the injection and observation well network and allow us to prepare a complete and accurate U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Class VI permit application.”
In late January, the first drill rig began the drilling process for the geologic test well. This included installation of the conductor, surface casing and wellhead, which will be followed by drilling and installation of intermediate casing and ultimately drilling to an approximate depth of 7,250 ft.
Various tests will be performed and samples collected including geophysical logging, injection tests and rock core and fluid sampling. Three potential carbon storage formations and their caprocks or seals are being evaluated to safely trap and secure the CO2. Once testing is complete, this well will be plugged and abandoned in accordance with the State of Indiana Drilling and Operating Permit.
The geologic testing will characterize several prospective reservoirs under the Mitchell cement plant property for safe storage of more than 50 million metric tons of CO2 over a 30-year timeframe.
The project, which is the result of a DOE CarbonSAFE award, is being led by the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS). Heidelberg Materials is acting as a technical and industrial partner and cost share provider.
