Geologic Sequestration Guidance Documents

EPA is currently developing guidance documents to support the Class VI Rule regulations. These documents are geared towards Directors and Owners and Operators of Class VI wells. Please check back for updates.

For supplemental research and development papers pertaining to the Geologic Sequestration Final Rule, please visit Regulations.gov.

Draft Documents Closed for Comment

• Draft Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program Class VI Well Testing and Monitoring Guidance (PDF) (122 pp, 2MB)
  The Class VI Rule requires owners or operators of Class VI wells to perform several types of activities during the lifetime of the project in order to ensure that the injection well maintains its mechanical integrity, that fluid migration and the extent of pressure elevation are within the limits described in the permit application, and that USDWs are not endangered. These monitoring activities include mechanical integrity tests (MITs), injection well testing during operation, monitoring of ground water quality in several zones, tracking of the carbon dioxide plume and associated pressure front, and, at the discretion of the UIC Program Director, soil gas and surface air monitoring. This guidance provides information regarding how to perform these testing and monitoring activities.
  
  
• Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Draft Underground Injection Control (UIC)
  Program Class VI Well Primacy Application and Implementation Manual (PDF) (276pp, 2MB)
  This document outlines and describes the requirements for interested states, tribes, and territories to develop a UIC Class VI Program and submit an application to EPA for approval under SDWA 1422, and highlights several considerations a UIC Program Director may face when implementing an approved program. The comment period on this document closed on 8/25/11.
  EPA 816-D-11-001, June 2011

• Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Underground Injection Control (UIC)
  Class VI Well Site Characterization Guidance for Owners & Operators (PDF) (170 pp, 4MB)
  This document details recommended methods to collect information and demonstrate sufficient suitability of the proposed injection site for proper site characterization to meet the requirements of the Class VI. Rule. The comment period on this document closed on 5/31/11.
  EPA 816-D-10-006, March 2011
• Comment period closed midnight August 25, 2011
  

• Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Underground Injection Control (UIC)
  Class VI Well Area of Review Evaluation & Corrective Action Guidance for Owners & Operators (PDF)(87 pp, 2MB)
  This document details how to use the site characterization information and computational modeling to delineate the area of review as well as approaches for evaluating and remediation potential carbon dioxide leakage through an appropriate corrective action plan that meets the requirements for the Class VI Rule. The comment period on this document closed on 5/31/11.
  EPA 816-D-10-007, March 2011

• Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Underground Injection Control (UIC)
  Class VI Well Construction Guidance for Owners & Operators (PDF)(42 pp, 616K)
  This document details how to properly construct and operate Class VI wells to meet the Class VI Rule requirements. The comment period on this document closed on 5/31/11.
  EPA 816-D-10-008, March 2011

• Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide: Draft Underground Injection Control (UIC)
  Draft Class VI Well Project Plan Development Guidance for Owners & Operators (PDF) (100 pp, 707K)
  This document describes the required elements of each of the five plans (Area of Review and Corrective Action Plan, Testing and Monitoring Plan, Injection Well Plugging Plan, Post-Injection Site Care (PISC) and Site Closure Plan, and Emergency and Remedial Response Plan) prospective Class VI injection well owners and operators must submit with a permit application under the Class VI Rule requirements. The comment period on this document closed on 5/31/11.
  EPA 816-D-10-012, March 2011

Financial Responsibility Guidance and Supporting Documents

• Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI Program: Financial Responsibility Guidance (PDF) (127 pp, 753K)
  This document details recommended types of financial mechanisms that can be used to meet the Class VI Final Rule requirements for financial responsibility and provides guidance on use.
  EPA 816-R-11-005, July 2011
  
  • Public Comments Received on the Financial Responsibility Guidance (PDF) (121 pp, 6.56MB)
    EPA 816-R-11-006, July 2011
    
  • Summary of Public Comments Received on the Financial Responsibility Guidance and EPA Responses (PDF) (71 pp, 702K)
    EPA 816-R-11-007, July 2011
    Recommended Financial Responsibility Instrument Language (Forms/Templates)
    
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Escrow Account Form (PDF) (5 pp, 84K)
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Trust Agreement Form (PDF) (7 pp, 96K)
    
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Financial Guarantee Surety Bond Form (PDF) (3 pp, 283K)
    
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Performance Surety Bond Form (PDF) (4 pp, 293K)
    
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Irrevocable Standby Letter of Credit Form (PDF) (2 pp, 270K)
    
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Certificate of Insurance Form (PDF) (2 pp, 30K)
    
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Letter from CFO Form (PDF) (3 pp, 100K)
    
  • Appendix B (Financial Responsibility Guidance) - Corporate Guarantee Form (PDF) (3 pp, 59K)
    

• Research and Analysis in Support of IC Class VI Program: Financial Responsibility Requirements & Guidance (PDF) (99 pp, 3MB)
  This paper describes background research that informed EPA's final requirements for financial responsibility demonstrations by owners or operators of Class VI wells used for geologic sequestration.
  EPA 816-R-10-017, December 2010

Guidance Documents

• Class V Experimental Technology Well Guidance for Pilot Geologic Sequestration Projects (PDF)
  (IC Program Guidance #83) (23 pp, 450K)

• COMING SOON: Options for Class V Experimental Technology Well Owners and Operators in the Context of the New G'S Rule for Long-Term Storage of Carbon Dioxide (Revised IC Program Guidance 83)
  

Guidance Facts

• Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI Program: Public Participation Considerations for Geologic Sequestration Wells Facts (PDF) (3 pp, 38K)
  This document outlines options for engaging the public before, during, and after the life of a geologic sequestration project.
  EPA 816-F-10-072, December 2010