The University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER), in partnership with Williams, has completed a deep stratigraphic test well in the Echo Springs area of south-central Wyoming to evaluate the potential for large-scale carbon storage.
The initiative is part of the US Department of Energy’s Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) program, Phase II, which focuses on identifying and advancing geologic formations capable of securely storing commercial volumes of CO2.
Using Wyoming-based True Rig 38, the team drilled to a depth of 19,098 feet – the deepest well ever in the region, extending more than 3.5 miles below the surface.
At these depths, with temperatures exceeding 330°F, drilling and data collection pose significant technical challenges. The well is designed to assess the potential of deep saline formations, which offer extensive containment layers ideal for CO2 storage.
“Drilling to this depth for any reason is a remarkable feat,” said Charles Nye, SER’s co-principal investigator. “Data recovered from this well will enable safe carbon storage opportunities in the eastern part of the Greater Green River Basin.”
Next Steps and Regional Impact
The characterization effort will help determine the site’s suitability for saline CO2 storage, producing the foundational studies required for future CarbonSAFE phases.
Analysis of rock cores, water samples, and geological models will provide insight into injectivity, containment security, and long-term viability.
Williams Vice President of New Energy Ventures, Jaclyn Presnal, emphasized the significance of the achievement: “The partnership fostered meaningful advancements and surfaced important insights that will inform our broader approach to low-carbon solutions. We’re proud of the teamwork and technical progress achieved through this effort.”
The project underscores Wyoming’s role in advancing carbon storage solutions while delivering economic benefits through private-sector investment.
Beyond research, initiatives like Echo Springs demonstrate how industry-academic partnerships can drive innovation, create jobs, and support the state’s broader energy transition.
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