The Sweetwater Carbon Storage Hub (SCS Hub), a partnership between the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) and Frontier Infrastructure Holdings, has completed drilling operations on its second deep-characterization well, marking a milestone for commercial-scale carbon sequestration in Wyoming.
The new J1-15 well reached a total vertical depth of 18,437 feet, making it the deepest Class VI carbon storage well ever drilled in the US.
Early data show strong geologic similarities to a proven acid gas injection site located just 25 miles away, further strengthening confidence in the hub’s long-term storage potential.
“Successfully drilling and testing a second well has validated our interpretation of the reservoir and confirmed this region’s storage capacity,” said Robby Rockey, president and co-CEO of Frontier. “This deeper well gives us a more complete picture of the subsurface and reinforces our commitment to building scalable, practical carbon solutions for Wyoming’s key industries.”
Unlocking the Madison Limestone’s Potential
The SCS Hub, part of the US Department of Energy’s CarbonSAFE initiative, aims to establish a commercial-scale CO2 storage facility capable of permanently storing emissions from regional industrial emitters.
After drilling its first well (SCS-1), the team extended J1-15 to reach the Madison Limestone formation – a high-priority target already in use at North America’s largest CCS project at Shute Creek, 25 miles north. Logging data from the well show strong porosity and flow, indicators of robust storage capacity.
“The decision to deepen the well to the Madison Limestone has proven successful,” said Zunsheng “John” Jiao, program manager at SER’s Center for Economic Geology Research (CEGR). “The logging data confirms a continuous zone of strong porosity and flow — indicators of excellent storage potential.”
With core samples, well logs and water now under analysis, the next project phase will focus on detailed modeling, permitting, and preparation for injection.
“The data collected from this well is essential to confirming the feasibility of the SCS Hub and advancing Wyoming’s position in the emerging carbon economy,” said CEGR Director Fred McLaughlin.
