Panel Session

Panel Session: Development and Evolution of Carbon Capture Projects

Location: Room 310

Tuesday, 4 March 2025, 10:55 a.m.–12:00 p.m.  |  Houston, Texas

The regulatory frameworks shaping the development and evolution of carbon capture projects are crucial to their success. This panel will delve into state and federal regulations, the permitting process, and how these regulations impact project timelines and overall feasibility. It will provide insights into the complexities of the regulatory landscape and the influence of various regulatory bodies, as well as explore the interplay between local and federal regulations. By understanding these factors, this discussion will offer invaluable guidance for navigating the regulatory environment, ensuring compliance, and accelerating the development of carbon capture projects. This panel will provide a valuable opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory hurdles and opportunities that shape the carbon capture sector.

Moderator

Danny Kingham is a Senior Associate Hydrogeologist with GSI Environmental Inc., with over 19 years of professional experience in the environmental field. Ms. Kingham is the GSI Corporate H&S Administrator, a registered PG in Texas, Louisiana, and New York, and an appointed Board Member of the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists. Ms. Kingham’s expertise involves issues related to carbon capture and storage projects, including the development and implementation of UIC injection well permit applications, for which Ms. Kingham specializes in hydrogeologic and geologic characterizations, reservoir modeling support, artificial penetration evaluations, environmental testing and monitoring plans, and EJ reviews.

Panelists

Laura Sorey is the geology manager for the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources – Injection and Mining Division. She oversees the geology section responsible for regulating Class I, II, III, V, and VI injection wells and served as the project manager for Louisiana's Class VI primacy application, resulting in Louisiana becoming the third state to receive primacy. Laura has been with IMD since 2019 and previously worked as a geologist in the oil and gas industry and in environmental consulting. She is a licensed Professional Geoscientist and earned her BS in geology from Millsaps College and MS in geology from Louisiana State University.

Lily Barkau is the Groundwater Section Manager of the Water Quality Division at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and has been with WDEQ for 18 years. In her current role at WDEQ, she oversees groundwater quality assessments across the State. She worked on the UIC Class VI primacy application with Wyoming receiving primacy of the Class VI program in 2020. She is a Board Member for the Groundwater Research and Education Foundation and was appointed to the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s Federal Lands CCS Permitting Task Force. Ms. Barkau holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Wichita State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science and Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. She is also a licensed Professional Geologist in Wyoming.

Zach Liu is the Director of Subsurface CCUS at Harvestone Low Carbon Partners, where he oversees one of the few active Class VI CO₂ injection operations at the Blue Flint CCS site in North Dakota. With over 25 years of experience in oil and gas, including 15 yeras focused on CCUS at Kinder Morgan and Harvestone, Zach has built a strong track record of success, having drilled more than 100 CO₂ wells. He is a licensed Petroleum Engineer, Professional Geologist in Texas, and a CFA charterholder. In 2018, he served as President of SPWLA International. Outside of work, Zach enjoys golf and once hit a 202-yard hole-in-one with a 5-iron.

Jim Dunlap is a Policy Development Manager for ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions (LCS) and Global Lead for carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), Hydrogen and Lithium Policy. Jim’s role is to support large-scale investments in carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS), low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, second generation biofuels, carbon dioxide removal and direct lithium extraction. These technologies enable large-scale emission reductions and are required to achieve net zero emissions and the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. He is a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators, Council on Foreign Relations, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Fee: Included with registration

Location: Room 310

Venue

George R. Brown Convention Center

1001 Avenida De Las Americas

Houston, Texas 77010

United States

(713) 853-8000

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