October 29, 2025
BY U.S. EPA
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued three final Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI permits to ExxonMobil for a project in Jefferson County, Texas. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, these permits allow ExxonMobil to convert three existing test wells permitted by the state to carbon dioxide (CO2) storage injection wells for long-term storage.
“Texas has successfully managed underground injection wells for decades while protecting drinking water, and I'm confident they'll continue this success with Class VI wells,” said EPA Regional Administrator Scott Mason. “These permits advance ExxonMobil's Rose carbon storage project, creating jobs and protecting health and the environment through advanced technology. EPA is committed to removing bureaucratic barriers to unleash American energy.”
“We appreciate all the work from the EPA, under the Trump administration, to issue these permits for our Rose carbon storage project. It marks an important step in strengthening America’s energy industry through safe, permanent CO₂ storage,” said Barry Engle, president of ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. “We’ve worked diligently to meet or exceed the rigorous standards set. Carbon capture and storage projects will create growth, jobs and economic opportunity, and we’re pleased to play a leading role in advancing their deployment.”
Class VI injection wells store CO2 deep underground after it has been captured from an emissions source or the atmosphere. These Class VI permits allow ExxonMobil to inject an average of 1.1 to 1.67 million metric tons of CO2 per year into each well, with a maximum total of 5 million metric tons per year across all three injection wells. Over the 13-year injection period, ExxonMobil would be allowed to inject a maximum of 53 million metric tons of CO2.
EPA regulations require ExxonMobil to conduct comprehensive site analyses ensuring the wells protect the environment during construction and operation, including preventing drinking water contamination and human-induced seismic activity. EPA also mandates that all operational plans meet site-specific conditions, covering construction materials, mechanical integrity, and emergency response protocols.
EPA proposed to approve the permits in August of this year and took public comments and held a virtual hearing. The final permit documents, responses to public comments, and other finalized or updated documents are available on the docket.
https://carboncapturemagazine.com/articles/epa-issues-three-class-vi-permits-to-exxonmobil-in-jefferson-county-texas