For the first time in the United States, our proprietary chemical tracer technology has been applied to a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project. This achievement strengthens the way operators monitor CO₂ injection and containment, offering independent verification that underground storage remains safe and permanent.
Driving confidence in carbon storage
As the oil and gas sector and wider energy industry move toward lower-carbon solutions, confidence in CCS and CCUS projects is critical. Operators must not only inject and store CO₂ safely but also demonstrate measurable proof that containment remains intact over decades.
Our tracer technology plays a key role in this process. By working alongside other measurement, monitoring, and verification (MRV) tools, tracers provide early detection of any CO₂ movement, complementing traditional monitoring methods and supporting compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.
How our tracer technology supports CCS projects
We have drawn on more than six decades of tracer expertise, first developed for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), to create chemical tracers specifically designed for CCS applications. These tracers are engineered to deliver clear, actionable insights, including:
- Earliest possible leak detection, identifying CO₂ at parts-per-trillion sensitivity.
- Mapping plume migration to track how injected CO₂ behaves underground.
- Fingerprinting capability that differentiates between naturally occurring, recycled, and newly injected CO₂.
- Non-intrusive deployment, which allows continuous injection without interrupting operations and accelerates eligibility for 45Q tax credits.
By combining sensitivity, accuracy, and ease of use, our tracers provide operators with both scientific certainty and practical efficiency.
Strengthening monitoring and risk management
Operators increasingly recognise the value of incorporating tracers into their MRV strategies. Unlike approaches that rely heavily on seismic interpretation, tracers provide an independent data source that links real-time sample results with predictive models. This bridges the gap between interpretation and verification, ensuring seal integrity is confirmed throughout the life of the project.
From a risk management perspective, tracers add a protective layer by delivering undeniable evidence of containment performance. In Class II EOR sequestration projects, this capability is particularly valuable, as it verifies CO₂ remains securely stored and highlights any potential anomalies before they escalate.
Our perspective on the first us deployment
Fredrick Tyler, our Sales Executive for Carbon Authentication, explains:
“Chemical tracers provide operators with the earliest possible signal of CO₂ movement, offering a level of accuracy and sensitivity in leak detection. Their ability to detect CO₂ in both water and gas samples at extremely low concentrations makes them indispensable for CCS monitoring.
With this first US project, we have demonstrated the value of tracers in establishing an independent source of truth for containment and plume migration. This strengthens regulatory compliance and builds confidence among stakeholders, shareholders, and local communities.
Backed by decades of global tracer experience, we continue to deliver solutions that help customers reduce uncertainty, minimise costs, and ensure their operations run without unnecessary disruption.”
Building trust in CCS and CCUS
The successful application of our tracer technology in this landmark US CCS project reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing carbon capture, utilisation, and storage. By delivering precise, independent evidence of CO₂ containment, we provide operators with the assurance they need to demonstrate storage security, manage operational risks, and accelerate the transition to lower-carbon energy.