California Resources Corporation’s carbon management subsidiary, Carbon TerraVault, is preparing to commence carbon dioxide injection at the Elk Hills carbon capture and storage (CCS) project in Kern County, California.
According to the company, the project has moved from concept to execution over the past year, with first CO2 injection expected in spring 2026, pending final regulatory approval. The facility is currently in the commissioning phase following completion of the capture and injection systems.
The Elk Hills CCS facility is designed to capture carbon dioxide from gas processing operations and inject it into the CTV I-26R underground reservoir for long-term storage. The project has received a Class VI permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, allowing for CO2 injection and storage.
The company states that it has secured agreements with industrial and power sector partners representing 6.8 million metric tons per year of potential captured emissions. In addition, a storage application covering 27 million metric tons has been submitted to the EPA as part of its broader carbon management portfolio.
California Resources expects to invest $12 million to $20 million in carbon management projects in 2026 as it advances the platform.
Francisco Leon, President and Chief Executive Officer of California Resources Corporation, said: “Over the last year, Carbon TerraVault (CTV) moved from concept to project execution and will soon commence first CO2 injection at Elk Hills – a first-of-its-kind project in California. CTV continues to build upon its leading carbon management platform, prioritizing project de-risking and partner alignment to advance innovative energy solutions in California. As we enter 2026, we are focused on delivering first injection at CTV I-26R, advancing subsequent EPA Class VI permits in queue and converting our commercial pipeline into projects that will have the potential to drive high-quality, stable cash flows and provide future business diversification. CTV is emerging as the premier carbon management platform essential to helping California achieve its ambitious climate goals.”