# Mt. Simon Sandstone Mineral Rights and CO2 Sequestration

**TL;DR:** The Mt. Simon Sandstone is a Cambrian-age saline aquifer underlying the Illinois Basin at depths of 3,000–8,000 feet. It is the primary geological formation targeted for CO2 sequestration under Class VI permits, including the Wabash Valley CCS hub. Traditional mineral rights typically do not cover the Mt. Simon; instead, pore space rights (generally owned by the surface owner in Illinois Basin states) govern CO2 storage use.

## Key Takeaways

- **Mt. Simon Sandstone is a ~500-million-year-old Cambrian sandstone formation** containing saline brine rather than hydrocarbons, making it unsuitable for oil and gas production but ideal for CO2 storage.
- **The formation underlies most of the Illinois Basin** at depths of 3,000 to 8,000 feet and is confined by the overlying Eau Claire Shale, ensuring reliable containment.
- **Pore space rights, not traditional mineral rights, govern CO2 sequestration** — in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, pore space rights are generally allocated to the surface owner.
- **Mineral owners do not typically receive direct royalty income** from Mt. Simon CCS operations, but may benefit indirectly through required notifications, coordination with shallower oil and gas operations, and potential lease language covering CO2 sequestration and 45Q tax credit allocation.
- **Multiple Class VI permits target the Mt. Simon** across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, including the Wabash Valley Resources CCS hub and other 45Q-eligible projects.
- **Buckhead Energy purchases mineral interests in Mt. Simon CCS-eligible counties** within the Illinois Basin, providing direct acquisition without broker commissions or auction premiums.

## Page Highlights

**What Is the Mt. Simon Sandstone?**  
A Cambrian-age sandstone formation underlying the Illinois Basin with enormous storage capacity and broad areal extent. Not a productive oil and gas reservoir, but the primary geologic target for CO2 sequestration across the midwestern United States due to reliable confinement by overlying shale.

**Mineral Rights vs Pore Space Rights**  
Traditional mineral rights do not typically address non-hydrocarbon formations like the Mt. Simon. Pore space rights (controlled by surface owners in Illinois Basin states) govern CO2 storage. Mineral owners may see indirect benefits through EPA Class VI permitting notifications, coordination with existing shallow-zone operations, and potential lease language additions.

**Mineral Rights in Mt. Simon CCS Areas**  
Buckhead Energy acquires Illinois Basin mineral interests in counties where Mt. Simon CCS projects are active or planned, offering direct purchase with no intermediary fees.

## Related Topics

- [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell)
- [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell)
- [Should I Sell?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell)
- [Beginner's Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell)
- [Getting a Fair Price](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell)

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**About Buckhead Energy:** Since 2007, Buckhead Energy has been a direct buyer of mineral rights and royalty interests across 33 states, offering transparent transactions without broker commissions or auction fees. BBB-accredited and mineral-owner-focused.  
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