California launches first CO₂ storage injection at Carbon TerraVault CCS project
California Resources Corporation has completed the first carbon dioxide injection at its Carbon TerraVault I (CTV I) project in Kern County, marking a major milestone in the development of carbon capture and storage infrastructure in California.
The project, located at CRC’s Elk Hills Field, is the state’s first operational carbon capture and storage facility and is designed to permanently store CO₂ emissions from industrial sources more than one mile underground in depleted oil and gas reservoirs. The initial injection represents the transition of the project from development into active operation, establishing the basis for a broader carbon storage market in the region.
Carbon TerraVault I uses two depleted reservoirs, known as 26R and A1-A2, with the first phase expected to store up to 1.46 million metric tons of CO₂ annually. At full capacity, the site could store up to 38 million metric tons of CO₂ over its lifetime, according to the company, equivalent to the emissions of hundreds of thousands of vehicles each year.
The project is supported by final Class VI permitting from the US Environmental Protection Agency, making it one of the first regulated large-scale geological storage projects in California. The CO₂ injected at the site is sourced from CRC’s own cryogenic gas operations, using existing infrastructure adapted for long-term carbon storage.
California Resources Corporation said the milestone demonstrates the technical and regulatory feasibility of large-scale carbon storage in the state, positioning California to expand its carbon management capabilities as part of its broader climate neutrality strategy. The company also noted that the project is intended to contribute to emissions reductions while supporting continued energy system reliability.
State officials have described carbon capture and storage as a key component of California’s climate strategy, alongside emissions reductions and renewable energy deployment. The project has also received support through a community benefits plan, including more than $1 million allocated for local initiatives in Kern County and the establishment of a community advisory council.
The Carbon TerraVault initiative, a joint venture between California Resources Corporation and Brookfield, has already submitted additional storage reservoirs for federal permitting, with potential combined capacity exceeding 350 million metric tons of CO₂ across future developments.
Industry representatives involved in the project said the first injection marks the beginning of a scalable carbon management system that could support long-term decarbonisation across industrial sectors in California, while also creating new infrastructure and employment opportunities linked to carbon capture technologies.
