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Purchase carbon credits from Charm Bio-oil Geologic Storage
Putting oil back underground by converting biomass into bio-oil and injecting it deep underground for permanent storage
Charm Bio-oil Geologic Storage
Charm Bio-oil Geologic Storage
Putting oil back underground by converting biomass into bio-oil and injecting it deep underground for permanent storage
Description
The Charm Industrial Great Plains Bio-Oil Sequestration project turns waste wood into bio‑oil and stores it underground for the long term. Bio‑oil comes from two sources: non‑merchantable forest thinnings in Colorado and sawmill residues in Québec. The oil is pre‑processed in Kansas, then injected at salt caverns in Kansas and at a Class V well in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana.
The project removes carbon by diverting biomass that would otherwise decompose, including sawmill residues that can form methane‑producing piles. In the baseline scenario, these residues have no long‑lived product use or storage pathway. Net removals are calculated after including transport, energy, and embodied emissions within the system boundary.
Durability relies on density contrast so the bio‑oil sinks. The Louisiana reservoir is designed for 1,000+ years of storage. The Kansas salt cavern pathway is described as permanent on 10,000+‑year horizons.
The project is designed to scale. Estimated capacity is 10,000 tonnes in 2024 and 25,000 tonnes in 2025, with later years to be determined. Charm manages offtake, transportation, pre‑processing, injection, and credit sales. Co‑benefits include sourcing forest residues from wildfire‑mitigation projects that can aid forest health, alongside broader sustainable development goals.
Technology
Bio-oil and Geologic Biomass Storage
Heating waste biomass in the absence of oxygen to produce carbon-rich bio-oil, which is then injected into existing underground wells for long-term sequestration.
Durability
Permanence: 1000+ years
The durability of this project is 1,000+ years, based on reservoir characterization, density contrast (bio‑oil denser than formation fluids so it sinks), and well integrity.
Citation:
Page 24 of PDD
Ratings
Project details
Emissions reduced or carbon removed on an annual basis
25,000 tonnes
How the project approaches risk of reversal
The project addresses the risk of reversal by designing storage and operations to keep bio‑oil in place and by monitoring for any loss of containment. The storage formation is selected and operated so that bio‑oil is denser than formation fluids, causing it to sink after injection. The well is operated under defined pressure limits with continuous recording of pressure, rate, and volume, and automated shutdowns to maintain compliance. The operator performs mechanical integrity tests, corrosion monitoring, and annual pressure falloff tests, and conducts gas measurements at the wellhead on a set schedule, with additional sampling if gas is detected. A post‑injection monitoring and closure plan outlines further steps to confirm permanence. These measures, together with reservoir properties and demonstrated well integrity, are intended to minimize the likelihood of reversal.
What actions would be taken by the project developer if anticipated emissions reductions do not take place, or if carbon removal is reversed in the future?
In the event of a potential reversal, the project's buffer pool acts as a safety measure to cover the potential loss of carbon credits. A risk analysis was performed using the Isometric Risk of Reversal Questionnaire. With this tool, a risk factor of 5% was established, along with a corresponding buffer pool.
What calculation methods are used to independently reproduce and verify the carbon impact of the project?
Please refer to Section 7 in the Methodology document.
Citation:
Methodology
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
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Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
United States
€616.05 per tonne
* This amount exceeds the purchase limit of 2000 tonnes.
* Amount does not meet the minimum purchase weight of 0.01t