Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Plume Planning

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing carbon dioxide and storing it deep underground in porous rock formations. Selecting an ideal site for a CCS project involves a variety of considerations, including accurately forecasting the CO2 “plume”—how much of an aerial expanse CO2 will occupy after being injected into the ground.

Planning for the Plume Effect

As ethanol plants and other large producers of carbon dioxide look for ways to control emissions and qualify for tax credits, CCS has emerged as a viable solution. Success with CCS requires adequate plume planning due to physical laws of the universe that control how carbon dioxide behave in the subsurface. As carbon dioxide moves from the injection site into neighboring landowners' pore space, pore space usage rights must be considered. Landowners expect to be made aware of and appropriately compensated for carbon dioxide that moves into and occupies their pore space.

Forecasting a plume’s volume and aerial expanse depends on two important metrics:

●     Amount of carbon dioxide to be stored

●     Time, typically measured in years or decades

With the help of three-dimensional geostatistical models and computer simulation methodologies that have been developed over many decades based on vast knowledge gained from injecting substances into the earth to improve or enhance oil production around the globe, reservoir geologists and engineers can use anticipated volumes and time-based data to forecast plume growth and evaluate potential injection sites.

CO2 Plume Planning: Other Considerations

In addition to analyzing future plume size and growth, CCS project planners usually consider numerous other factors when siting injection and monitoring well locations, such as:

Natural features, including wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, and mountains.

Existing infrastructure, such as oil pipelines, roads, and man-made structures.

Nearby property owners, including farmers, homeowners, businesses, real estate trusts, etc.

Failing to gain buy-in from an adequate percentage of landowners within the projected plume radius can quickly end a CCS project. That’s why strategic analysis is key when determining the injection site.

At Trigen Energy, we’re experienced in helping CCS project developers with plume planning. As land professionals backed by geological expertise, we’re able to support clients in a way that considers factors above and below the earth’s surface.

Contact us to learn more about our services for CCS projects.

Running Title for Energy Projects

The process of “running title” seeks to understand how property has changed hands over time and packages that information into a usable format, such as a summary report. Developers for carbon capture and storage (CCS), solar, wind, oil, gas, and other energy projects rely on accurate title information to avoid land-related issues.

Overview of How Running Title Works

Specific steps for running title may vary depending on the use case and project requirements. For example, the amount of research necessary for a large solar park could be considerably different compared to a residential mortgage. That’s especially true if the project developer requires “full title,” which involves a comprehensive review of both surface and mineral rights. Running title “back to patent”—to the date of original granting—can also expand the scope of work.

Generally speaking, most title-related tasks for commercial energy projects fall into the following categories:

Researching how property has changed hands. Courthouse research is still common, although a growing number of counties in the United States offer public databases to streamline title research. Grantor (the seller) and grantee (the buyer) indexes are especially useful for title research. Deed books help the researcher locate transaction documentation, such as warranty deeds.

Notating relevant information and collecting documentation. Reviewing grantor and grantee indexes helps the researcher build an accurate, sequential summary of how land ownership changed within the specified time frame. Photocopying documentation from deed books is a common practice, too.

Preparing run sheets, ownership reports, and title packets. A run sheet shows how ownership for a piece of property has changed over time. Land ownership reports provide important details about the tract of land, including who owns the mineral and surface rights. A title packet contains the run sheet, ownership report, and photocopies of documentation.

Partnering with a Specialized Service Provider

Not every title company has in-depth energy experience and knowledge. Working with a specialized land services company can be a wise decision, especially for complex energy projects involving multiple land tracts, severed mineral rights, oil and gas leases, easements, solar and wind park installations, or subterranean CO2 storage.

Contact Trigen Energy to discuss title services for energy projects.

Grantee vs. Grantor Indexes

In real estate, a “grantee” is someone who receives land from another party. The person granting the real estate (usually by selling it to the grantee) is referred to as the “grantor.”

A single piece of property may exchange hands dozens of times from the date of its original granting. Companies that run title  perform detailed research to help stakeholders understand a tract’s history and current ownership. Grantee and grantor indexes contain essential information for preparing run sheets and running title.

Grantee Index & Title Research

At Trigen Energy, we regularly support the title research needs of energy project developers. This process typically begins by obtaining the parcel number, visiting the local assessor’s office or website, pulling the tax card, and identifying the current owner’s name. From there, a researcher will parse through the grantee index until the owner’s name is found. The grantee index also indicates the grantor’s name and where to find documentation in the deed book. Depending on the project, this process is usually repeated for the seller’s name within a specified time window (such as 40 years) or all the way back to original granting (“to patent”).

Grantor Index & Title Research

After reviewing the grantee index, our researcher usually switches over to the grantor index. The initial owner is followed forward in time until he or she sold the tract to the next entity. Oil and gas leases, easements, and mineral rights severances are notated. Copies of warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and other documents are photocopied (or downloaded) and saved in a file. This process is repeated until the researcher arrives back at the present day owner, who is listed in the tax card.

Accessing Grantee and Grantor Indexes

In the United States, grantee and grantor indexes are typically maintained at the county level. Some recorder’s offices provide online access for streamlined research. For example, Lake County California’s recorded documents database enables users to search by the grantor’s name, grantee’s name, and recorded date. Some counties maintain “tract books,” which can reduce or eliminate the need to manually search through grantee and grantor indexes.

Contact Trigen Energy to discuss your carbon capture and storage (CCS) and energy projects.

Energy Project Management

Prior to harnessing energy from a hydrocarbon reservoir or renewable source, developers must put in place the right infrastructure for efficiently extracting, storing, and/or transporting the natural resource. The term “energy project management” encompasses tasks performed by energy companies and their subcontractors to achieve such goals. Examples of energy projects may include drilling oil wells, leasing land for solar or wind parks, constructing pipelines, and building battery storage facilities.

Managing Energy Projects & Related Tasks

Energy projects tend to be highly complex, require millions of dollars in capital investments, and involve dozens or hundreds of skilled professionals. Developers must balance a variety of project-related tasks involving budgets, finance, accounting, engineering, permitting, construction, geology, public relations, and other factors.

For example, when it comes to land-related considerations—our speciality at Trigen Energy, LLC—project developers usually need to:

Define an area of interest (AOI) that is in close proximity to a resource-rich site, such as an oil reservoir, or important infrastructure, such as an existing substation.

Determine property availability by performing online or courthouse research.

Acquire land within the area of interest by meeting with property owners, establishing relationships, proposing terms, and executing land leases or purchase agreements.

Monitor community sentiment and political dynamics to ensure stakeholder buy-in and avoid project roadblocks.

Energy Projects & Outsourcing

Due to the sheer volume and specialized nature of energy project tasks, developers may consider outsourcing certain responsibilities to subcontractors. Partnering with a proven service provider can help an energy developer free up capacity while achieving success.

For example, at Trigen Energy we believe that we add value to our energy developer clients through:

●     Expertise: We’re experts when it comes to “on-the-ground” aspects of energy projects.

●     Flexibility: No AOI yet? No problem. Bring us in when you’re ready.

●     Scalability: Tap into our network of skilled land professionals.

●     Cost efficiency: We serve multiple clients as subcontractors, which means we’re responsible for our own benefits.

●     Problem solving: Our hands-on approach can help clients solve complex problems in a highly efficient, effective way.

Contact Trigen Energy to discuss your next energy project and explore our land services.