Chevron, Equinor, and TotalEnergies have teamed up on a major carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative aimed at reducing industrial emissions in Southeast Texas. Known as Bayou Bend CCS LLC, the venture is focused on creating a large-scale CO2 storage hub for the Gulf Coast region.
Spanning roughly 140,000 acres of both land and offshore territory, Bayou Bend is strategically located in an area rich with industrial operations, favorable geology, and existing infrastructure.
The project is operated by Chevron and is designed to help nearby industries lower the carbon footprint of their activities while positioning the region as a leader in clean energy solutions.
Chevron’s commercial advisor for the Bayou Bend project, Jay LeJeune, drawn by the project’s complexity and high stakes, emphasized the importance of experience when navigating the technical challenges of CCS development.
“It’s exciting to use our expertise in areas where we have a longstanding history of helping industries and customers that use our products. We’re leveraging proven methods that have the potential to make a positive impact at scale,” LeJeune said.
So far, the team has completed the drilling of both onshore and offshore stratigraphic wells, which are vital for evaluating subsurface conditions.
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These tests help determine the site’s suitability for safely and permanently storing carbon dioxide underground.
In a major step forward, Bayou Bend filed its CO2 injection permit application in 2024. The regulatory review process, which typically takes about two years, ensures that the project meets rigorous safety standards, particularly those protecting underground drinking water sources.
While the permit is under review, the project is moving ahead with key preparations. The team is working on finalizing the design and engineering plans, building the required infrastructure, drilling injection wells, and setting up a long-term monitoring system to track the behavior of stored CO2.
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If successful, Bayou Bend could play a crucial role in helping Southeast Texas balance industrial growth with environmental responsibility — supporting jobs, attracting investment, and advancing innovation in carbon management.
“No one country, no one company, no one industry acting alone can meet the world’s energy and climate ambitions,” said Chris Powers, Chevron’s vice president of CCUS & Emerging. “Bayou Bend seeks to play a key role in supporting those goals.”
