Understanding subsurface conditions is critical to the successful development of carbon storage projects. This session explores key factors influencing site selection, design and risk assessment, including reservoir characterization, basin-specific drilling considerations and approaches to modeling pressure and storage boundaries. It will also examine how evolving data and analysis can shift perspectives on subsurface potential, highlighting opportunities to optimize storage capacity while managing uncertainty and regulatory requirements.

• Spencer Crouch, Director of CCUS, BKV dCarbon Ventures
  Subsurface Design of the High West CCS Project in Louisiana
• Jim Cron, Senior Principal Engineer, Geostock Sandia, LLC
  What a difference a Basin can make: Comparative Analysis of Drilling Operations in Illinois and Williston Basins
• Muhammad Zulqarnain, Senior Consultant, Advanced Resources International
  Why Pressure-Based AoR Models Can Overestimate Risk in CO2 Storage
• Laura Norris, Senior Consultant, Battelle Carbon Services
  From Uncertainty to Opportunity in Iowa’s Subsurface: Reconsidering Carbon Storage While Exploring Hydrogen Potential

Advancing carbon storage projects requires careful navigation of Class VI permitting and the work that follows. This session explores strategies for aligning regulatory requirements with project development goals, from refining area-of-review methodologies and coordinating testing during drilling to maintaining momentum between permit submission and first injection. With a focus on efficiency, compliance and project readiness, it highlights practical approaches to managing risk, streamlining timelines and supporting successful deployment of CO2 storage projects.

• Michael Hillix, Research Manager, University of North Dakota – Energy & Environmental Research Center
  Reducing Regulatory Burden and Expanding Market Eligibility in Ethanol-Focused CCS Projects
• Kacey Garber, Project Professional, SCS Engineers
  Streamlining the Class VI Injection Well Pre-Operational Testing Process Through Early Drilling Integration and Coordinated Testing
• Charles Hostetler, Senior Project Manager, SCS Engineers
  The Pros and Cons of Geophysical Imaging Methods in Class VI Dynamic Model Calibration Workflows

Managing operational risk is essential to the safe and successful deployment of carbon capture and storage projects. This session explores best practices across project execution, on-site storage strategies and CO2 injection operations, with a focus on risk identification, mitigation and long-term monitoring. It will also examine lessons learned from existing projects, including approaches to emergency response planning, stakeholder engagement and maintaining environmental and operational integrity.

• Tim Eggeman, Chief Technology Officer, New Phase Energy
  Keys to Success Execution of CCS Projects in the US Ethanol Industry
• Sylvain Riba, President and CEO, Geostock Sandía
  On-Site CCS Insight
• Zach Freund, Consultant, Advanced Resources International
  Mitigating Risks of CO2 Injection – Best Practices and Industry Learnings
• Chad Roller, Research Scientist, University of Oklahoma
  Safe and Secure CO2 Storage

Monitoring, measurement and verification are fundamental to ensuring the safety, performance and credibility of carbon storage projects. This session explores a range of technologies and approaches used to assess site suitability, track CO2 behavior and confirm long-term containment, from injectivity testing and remote sensing to advanced subsurface monitoring and biogenic carbon analysis. With a focus on compliance, data accuracy and risk reduction, it highlights how effective monitoring strategies support both regulatory requirements and project success.

• Shirley Indriati, Senior Geologist, Battelle
  Test before you invest: Using Step Rate and Injectivity Testing to Ensure Ethanol Plants’ CCS Success
• James Aiken, Vice President, Barr Engineering Co.
  Monitoring Vegetative Stress at a CO2 Injection Well Using Vegetation Indices and Prediction Limit Statistical Methodologies
• Jason Vanderkooi, Principal Geologist, Battelle
  An Overview of Compliance Monitoring for CO2 Sequestration
• Alex Henson, Account Manager, SGS Beta
  Quantifying CO2 Capture, Utilization, and Removals (CCU) via Carbon-14 Biogenic Content Measurement

Maximizing the value of carbon capture and storage projects requires a clear understanding of evolving incentives and carbon market opportunities. This session explores strategies for leveraging programs such as the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit alongside carbon markets to improve project economics and accelerate returns. It will also examine approaches to carbon accounting, data validation and integration across the value chain, highlighting how producers can position projects to capture the full financial and environmental benefits of CCS.

• Evan Zeller, Director, Battelle Carbon Services
  45Z and CCS – Putting the “Z” in Accelerated Monetization
• Martin Baker, Senior Director, Origination, Anew Climate
  Integrating CCS, RECs, RNG, and Climate Smart Agriculture to Maximize 45Z Value for Ethanol Producers
• Faizal Hassan, VP, Low Carbon Fuels, Anew Climate
  Carbon Value of CCS Projects
• Paige Lougheed, Director of Carbon Programs, Corvian (previously Farmers Edge)
  From Acre to Audit: Making Field-Level CI Data Work for 45Z

Positioning for success in the evolving carbon market requires strategic alignment across policy, technology and partnerships. This session explores how ethanol producers can navigate incentives such as 45Z, avoid common compliance pitfalls and evaluate pathways for diversification through CCS, SAF and other low-carbon fuels. It will also examine the role of partnerships and integrated business models in managing risk and unlocking new revenue streams, highlighting approaches to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market landscape.

• Anna Ringsred, Senior Manager, Weaver
  45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit: Ethanol Inputs & Common Pitfalls
• Azadeh Rohani, Director, Worley Consulting
  Beyond the Blend Wall: Strategic Product Diversification through CCUS and SAF Conversion for Ethanol Industry
• Larry Tree, CEO, Proteum Energy, LLC
  Proteum Energy: Unlocking Negative-Carbon Fuels and Enhanced Profitability for Ethanol Producers
• John Oyen, Director of Business Development, ABB, Inc.
  Arithmetic? Algebra? Calculus? – The Math for Strategic Partnerships in CCUS

Expanding beyond traditional carbon capture and storage, utilization pathways and advanced capture technologies are creating new opportunities to reduce carbon intensity and generate value. This session explores approaches to converting CO2 into marketable products, integrating additional capture systems at existing facilities and advancing next-generation capture technologies through modeling and simulation. With a focus on performance, flexibility and economics, it highlights how these solutions can complement or provide alternatives to conventional storage strategies.

• Jeff Bonar, CEO, CapCO2 Solutions
  CO2 utilization – an exciting solution critical for next generation biofuels
• Nick Cioll, CEO, Progressive Energy
  Carbon Utilization Alternatives to Lower CI Scores
• Devin ter Braak, Sales Manager – North America, Bright Renewables
  Enhancing Existing Fermentation CCS with Post Combustion Carbon Capture at Ethanol Sites

Integrating carbon utilization technologies into ethanol production offers new pathways to reduce carbon intensity and unlock additional value. This session explores approaches for converting fermentation CO2 into fuels and intermediates, incorporating biogas systems and optimizing existing process streams to improve efficiency and returns. It will also examine how these integrations can enhance plant flexibility, increase output without additional feedstock and support evolving policy and market demands. With a focus on integration, scalability and economics, it highlights how ethanol producers can leverage emerging technologies to enhance performance and remain competitive in a carbon-constrained market.

• Hamed Heidari, CEO & Co-founder, C+UP
  Beyond CCS: Converting Fermentation CO2 into Renewable Propane at Ethanol Plants
• David Ortega, Chief Technology Officer, Phase Biolabs, Inc.
  Ethanol from CO2
• Juan Martiren, Founder & CEO, Bioelectrica
  The Backset Multiplier: One Integration, Lower CI, New Energy, Higher Returns
• Graham Hartlett, Chief Sales Officer – North America, HoSt Bioenergy Solutions
  HoSt Bioenergy – Elevating Your Ethanol CI Score with Distillers Grain Digestion

Developing successful low-carbon ethanol and CCS projects requires strategic planning across infrastructure, contracts and plant design. This session explores practical pathways for advancing projects, including alternative CO2 transport options, integrated facility design and considerations for structuring effective engineering, procurement and construction agreements. It will also examine how project integration decisions can influence permitting requirements, timelines and overall project viability. With a focus on flexibility, risk management and long-term performance, it highlights approaches to help producers navigate constraints while positioning for growth in a low-carbon market.

• Jim Cron, Senior Principal Engineer, Geostock Sandia, LLC
  Alternate CO2 Transport and Dedicated Class VI Storage: A Practical Path Forward for Stranded Ethanol Producers
• Andrew Parker, Partner, Husch Blackwell
  Crafting Effective EPC Agreements for Biofuels, Carbon Capture, and Sustainable Fuel Infrastructure Projects
• Rohan Pingale, Vice President – Bioenergy, PRAJ Industries Limited
  Designing the Ethanol Plant: Integrated Alcohol and Bio-methanation Solutions for Reliable, Low-CI Operations
• Andrea Foglesong, Vice President / Senior EHS Consultant, PROtect, LLC
  Single vs. Separate Source Determinations – How Project Integration Matters