In this talk, Samuel Krevor addresses questions about the role of CO₂ storage in feasible techno-economic roadmaps for climate change mitigation. He reviews the varied uses and demands for storage resource assessment in these projections and discusses the impacts of using simplified physics and techno-economic constraints—such as injectivity or rates of infrastructure construction—on the use of subsurface CO₂ storage. He presents results from his team’s efforts to compile historical and ongoing volumes of CO₂ stored by industrial projects in the London Register of Subsurface CO₂ Storage. These data are combined with their physics-based and techno-economic models of CO₂ storage scale-up, both regionally and globally. Krevor also shares findings from this global analysis, including the circumstances and locations where scale-up trajectories are—or are not—limited by subsurface factors. He concludes by arguing for the inclusion of growth modeling and physics-based constraints in projections of future CO₂ storage scale-up.

Securing a Class VI CCUS permit remains one of the most complex milestones in developing commercial-scale carbon storage projects. While the regulatory framework has matured, only a limited number of projects have achieved full approval. Many operators continue to face challenges with delays or resubmittals due to uncertainties related to data requirements, documentation standards, and evolving regulatory expectations. This session features operators and technical experts who have successfully obtained Class VI approvals, offering real-world insights into what worked, what didn’t, and how they overcame technical and regulatory hurdles. Speakers will discuss emerging EPA and state guidance, the balance between data quality and quantity, and effective communication strategies with regulators. Discussions will also explore different approaches to permit preparation—whether conducted internally or through third-party consultants—highlighting the advantages, limitations, and lessons learned from both paths. Attendees will gain practical strategies to strengthen permit defensibility, streamline reviews, and develop realistic project timelines from submittal to approval.

Key discussion topics include:

• What defines an approvable Class VI permit and common pitfalls
• Effective communication strategies with regulators
• Balancing data quality and quantity
• The importance of site-specific data and modeling to meet technical and regulatory criteria
• The role of modeling, risk assessments, and monitoring in strengthening applications
• Best practices for streamlining the review process and developing realistic project timelines

Amid today’s geopolitical and economic challenges, achieving a lower-carbon future means turning net-zero promises into practical strategies that build resilience and reduce climate risks. This keynote will address how companies can transform fragmented data and pledges into measurable outcomes and actionable roadmaps. By doing so, sustainability is not just a goal, but a strategic pathway to innovation, growth, and impact.

As the energy industry advances toward decarbonization, technology such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is becoming essential for reducing emissions from ongoing operations. Yet operators still face a key challenge: balancing the economics of CCUS with its broader strategic and environmental value. This panel brings together industry experts to discuss how companies evaluate CCUS investments amid regulatory drivers, market uncertainties, and evolving definitions of “value.” Panelists will explore trade-offs between near-term financial performance and long-term sustainability benefits—shaped by carbon pricing, tax incentives, ESG expectations, and corporate strategies.

Key discussion topics include:

• Practical economic drivers and challenges in scaling CCUS.
• How operators define value beyond profit, including carbon intensity reduction and license to operate.
• Policy, technology, and collaboration mechanisms that bridge the gap between project-level feasibility and societal benefits.

Global data center growth, driven by AI and cloud services, is expected to consume over 1,000 terawatt-hours annually by 2030—comparable to the annual electricity consumption of California. In the U.S., these facilities could account for 12% of total electricity demand. Data centers require highly reliable, uninterrupted power—often from dedicated off-grid sources due to grid instability. However, renewables are intermittent without costly storage, geothermal capacity is limited, and nuclear remains constrained by time and cost. As a result, thermal power from natural gas and coal remains dominant, but without sustainable solutions, CO₂ emissions will rise sharply. Integrating CCUS offers a viable path to mitigate this challenge. While costs for power generation, cooling, and capture infrastructure are well understood, the greatest uncertainty lies in the subsurface—where secure CO₂ storage must be proven. This panel will bring together all the key stakeholders involved in data center development and operation. This panel will convene developers, data companies, regulators, and technologists to explore the partnerships enabling low-carbon data infrastructure.

Key discussion topics include:

• Economic models and pathways to profitability.
• The role of policy incentives such as 45Q and additional funding needs.
• Integration of CCUS in power and operational costs.
• Viability of fuel sources and projected CO₂ volumes.
• Site selection criteria and optimal data center locations.
• Data centers compatibility with EOR projects.
• Workforce readiness for large-scale development.