U.S. Class VI Carbon Storage Permits Surge Amid Application Slowdown
Class VI carbon storage permitting in the U.S. saw a notable rise in approvals, with three permits issued by early Q2 2026, equaling the total for 2025. However, new applications decreased, indicating potential regulatory challenges ahead for the sector.
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In the first quarter of 2026, the U.S. granted three final Class VI permits, matching the total from 2025. Despite this, only three new Class VI applications were submitted, below the four-year average of seven.
Five draft permits were issued in Louisiana, Texas, Kansas, and Colorado, with the EPA anticipating nearly two dozen more draft permits this year. As of the end of Q1, there were 106 Class VI applications under review, with 54 by the EPA.
Five projects were injecting CO₂ through Class VI wells, demonstrating 5.2 mtpa of capacity. EIR projects U.S. Class VI capacity may exceed 100 mtpa by 2027 and 300 mtpa by 2030, contingent on permitting processes.
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