# Saline Aquifer CO2 Storage and Mineral Rights

## TL;DR

Deep saline aquifers—formations like the Mt. Simon Sandstone, Knox Group, and Frio—are the primary U.S. targets for permanent CO2 sequestration but do not produce oil or gas. Because these formations contain only brine, traditional mineral rights typically do not extend to them; instead, pore space ownership usually belongs to the surface owner in most states. Mineral owners may still have non-interference protections and notification rights during Class VI permitting, but CCS lease payments and 45Q-related revenue typically flow to surface owners, not mineral owners.

## Key Takeaways

- **Deep saline aquifers contain non-potable brine and are the primary target for geologic CO2 sequestration**, offering enormous storage capacity and reliable confinement thousands of feet below the surface.
- **Major U.S. saline aquifer storage formations include Mt. Simon Sandstone (Illinois Basin), Knox Group (Ordovician carbonates), Frio Formation (Gulf Coast), Broom Creek Formation (North Dakota), and Madison Formation (Wyoming).**
- **Traditional mineral rights typically do not reach saline aquifers because these formations are not productive of oil or gas**—the relevant legal interest is pore space, not mineral estate.
- **Pore space ownership in saline formations is typically vested in the surface owner** under most state statutes (Indiana, North Dakota, Wyoming), meaning CCS lease payments and 45Q tax-credit revenue go to surface owners.
- **Mineral owners retain non-interference protections**: CCS projects must respect existing mineral rights and cannot interfere with current or reasonably anticipated future oil and gas operations.
- **Mineral owner notification and consent may be required during EPA Class VI permitting**, even though saline aquifer storage does not directly generate mineral royalty income.

## Page Highlights

**What Are Deep Saline Aquifers?** — Subsurface rock formations (sandstones or carbonates) containing high-salinity brine unsuitable for any beneficial use, located thousands of feet below the surface and separated from drinking-water aquifers by impermeable confining layers.

**Major U.S. Storage Targets** — Mt. Simon Sandstone and Knox Group underlie the Illinois Basin; Frio Formation targets Gulf Coast CCS projects in Louisiana and East Texas; Broom Creek Formation is the primary North Dakota Class VI storage zone; Madison Formation hosts multiple Wyoming CCS projects.

**Mineral Rights vs Saline Aquifer Storage** — Saline aquifers do not produce hydrocarbons, so traditional mineral rights do not address them; the legal question is who owns pore space (void space in the formation), which most states allocate to the surface owner through explicit statutory frameworks.

**Selling Mineral Rights in CCS-Active Areas** — Buckhead Energy provides free written offers to mineral and royalty owners with interests to sell; owners should consult qualified attorneys on pore-space questions before transacting.

## Related Topics

- [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/how-to-sell-mineral-rights)
- [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/what-are-minerals-worth)
- [Should I Sell? Beginner's Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/should-i-sell)
- [Getting a Fair Price](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/fair-price)
- [US Drilling Activity Index](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/drilling-activity)
- [Oil & Gas Market Data Hub](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/market-data)

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**About Buckhead Energy**: Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer of mineral and royalty interests across all 50 U.S. states, purchasing with its own capital since 2006. The company holds an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and has completed acquisitions in 33 states.

**Ready to explore your options?** Request your free written offer at https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Buckhead Energy typically provides an offer within 24–48 hours. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance.

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