Kansas Geological Survey maps CO2 storage potential and examines hydrogen and salt‑cavern storage
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Summary
KGS presented a statewide assessment of the Arbuckle formation’s CO2 storage potential, discussed hydrogen pathways including an unsuccessful federal hydrogen hub bid, and reviewed bedded‑salt resources that could be used to store hydrogen in caverns.
The Kansas Geological Survey told the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources that it has produced a statewide, county‑level assessment of CO2 storage potential in the Arbuckle formation and is evaluating hydrogen‑related resources and storage options.
KGS staff described a broad analysis that scores counties by relative chance of success for geologic CO2 storage, explains depth and reservoir properties, and estimates storage capacity by county in gigatons. Kalbus cautioned the product is a “blunt instrument,” suitable as a first step to narrow candidate areas that would still require parcel‑specific Class VI permitting and detailed site characterization.
Kalbus also described work on hydrogen. He said KGS led a coalition called Harvest Hydrogen and that the group advanced far in a Department of Energy competition for hydrogen hub funding. He reported the Kansas proposal would have been roughly $900 million as part of a larger regional project and that Kansas was named an alternate in the DOE selection. Kalbus said federal interest in “natural hydrogen” — hydrogen occurring in the subsurface — has sparked exploration interest and that companies are filing intents to drill exploratory wells.
On storage, Kalbus highlighted bedded‑salt resources in central Kansas and noted that solution‑mined salt caverns are an established method for storing industrial gases and can be engineered to store hydrogen at scale. He said salt in the Hutchinson area has been used for liquid hydrocarbon storage and that deeper salt and purpose‑built caverns could become part of hydrogen infrastructure as demand for balancing and long‑term storage grows.
Nut graf: KGS presented a multi‑pronged look at subsurface carbon and hydrogen futures: a statewide CO2‑storage atlas to guide where to perform Class VI characterization, a state coordination effort that reached the DOE hydrogen hub final rounds, and an evaluation of bedded‑salt storage potential that could support hydrogen markets.
Committee members asked technical questions about feasibility and timelines; Kalbus stressed that county‑scale CO2 maps must be followed by fine‑scale site work and permitting, and that natural hydrogen remains an active area of research rather than a proven commercial resource in Kansas.
Ending: Kalbus said the CO2 storage maps, hydrogen modeling and salt‑cavern surveys are intended to inform business and state planning and that further work depends on partners and funding.
