Louisiana’s economy has long been fueled by energy innovation. From drilling some of the nation’s early commercial oil wells to pioneering the global export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the state has consistently led the way in shaping America’s energy future.
Sempra Infrastructure has played a key role in that legacy, with over two decades of safe, reliable operations at Cameron LNG which was one of the first LNG export terminals in the United States . Today, we’re helping chart the next chapter in Louisiana’s energy evolution through the development of the Hackberry Carbon Sequestration (HCS) project.
Located west of Hackberry, Louisiana, our proposed HCS project is designed to capture and store carbon dioxide (Co2) from Cameron LNG and other industrial sources, helping reduce the carbon intensity of LNG production and supporting broader decarbonization efforts across the region.
Carbon capture and sequestration—known as CCS— is a well-established technology that captures Co2 and stores it deep underground in thick layers of rock that trap the Co2 and prevent its vertical migration. CCS offers a practical pathway to reduce LNG lifecycle emissions and allow LNG customers to meet environmental goals—without compromising industrial growth or energy reliability.
In September 2025, Hackberry Carbon Sequestration received its final Class VI underground injection control permit from the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR), marking a key milestone. The Class VI authorization represents the latest step in our commitment to advancing forward-looking energy solutions that will usher in the next generation of energy.
What Makes Louisiana Especially Well-Suited for CCS?
Southwest Louisiana offers a rare combination of geological and industrial advantages that make it a prime location for CCS. Beneath Hackberry, deep and stable subsurface formations are naturally sealed by thick layers of rock—creating ideal conditions for safely storing Co2. Above ground, the region is supported by a robust energy infrastructure, including pipelines, processing facilities and a network of industrial partners that make large-scale CCS deployment both feasible and efficient.
Nathan Robinson, senior business development geologist at Sempra Infrastructure, explains: “The Hackberry site offers excellent conditions for geologically sequestering Co2. The storage formations are deep, stable and far below drinking water sources. In fact, they’re sealed off by thick layers of rock that create natural barriers that have trapped oil and gas for millions of years.”
How Will Hackberry Carbon Sequestration Actually Work?
CCS may seem like cutting-edge science, but it’s built on decades of proven engineering and safety practices. Hackberry Carbon Sequestration proposes to capture Co2 from Cameron LNG and other industrial sources that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. It leverages decades of proven technology and safety protocols, including:
• Co2 Compression & Processing: At Cameron LNG, Co2 will be captured, dried and compressed for transport.
• 9-Mile Transport Pipeline: Built predominantly on land owned by Cameron LNG , the pipeline will use existing rights-of-way to minimize land impacts.
• Advanced Construction Standards: The pipeline will be made of heavy wall-thickness carbon steel and include automatic shutdown valves, pressure sensors and leak detection systems.
• Secure Injection Site: Located on industrial property and buffered for miles from residential areas, the injection site will be equipped with comprehensive monitoring systems to ensure long-term safety and containment.
Taking a Community Centered View
Beyond the numbers, the impact of the energy industry is deeply personal, especially for communities like Hackberry . Since we began the development of Hackberry Carbon Sequestration in 2021, we’ve reinforced our commitment to the local community—not just through project development, but by listening, engaging and investing in ways that reflect shared priorities.
“We’ve met with elected officials and community members in Cameron Parish over the past three years, and retaining local jobs is one of their top priorities,” said John Koss, Project Director for Hackberry Carbon Sequestration.
“I understand their concerns,” Koss continued. “Growing up, I saw firsthand how industry can lift a community through stable jobs and opportunity. My father worked in the industry, and I was keenly aware of the cyclical nature of oil and gas. That experience shaped my understanding of the vital need for secure jobs and the ability to provide for your family.”
The proposed Hackberry Carbon Sequestration project will create approximately 200 construction jobs and 8 permanent positions , while strengthening the local tax base and helping shore up critical industrial industry by ensuring the sector remains competitive and viable long-term.
Beyond economic impact, HCS also is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits. The project has the potential to lower the emissions of industrial facilities in the region while creating approximately 30 acres of wetland marsh near Cameron LNG, using dredged material from pipeline and injection well construction. With some of the highest rates of coastal erosion in Louisiana occurring in Cameron Parish, this new marshland can help protect the community from future land loss.
Our Commitment to Safety
Safety is the foundation of every Sempra Infrastructure project. Guided by our core safety philosophy, “Everyone Safe, Every Time,” Hackberry Carbon Sequestration is being designed to meet both federal and Louisiana CCS safety standards .
In 2023, Louisiana received federal approval to oversee CCS permitting, positioning the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources (LDENR) as a national leader in carbon storage regulation. LDENR has since implemented some of the most rigorous standards in the country surpassing even those originally set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“We designed this project not only to meet those requirements,” said Patrick McCullough, Petroleum Engineer in Sempra Infrastructure’s Low Carbon Solutions, “but also to incorporate lessons learned from other CCS projects to ensure Co2 is safely sequestered deep underground.”
Hackberry Carbon Sequestration includes advanced monitoring technologies to detect and address potential issues quickly. Monitoring will continue after the injection ends, ensuring long-term safety and containment.
Transport safety is equally robust. Co2 pipelines have been part of our energy landscape in the U.S. for over 50 years, with more than 5,000 miles currently in use. For Hackberry Carbon Sequestration, the pipeline will be installed predominantly within existing rights-of-way to minimize land impacts and will be constructed using heavy wall-thickness carbon steel . Real-time monitoring and emergency response systems will also help to ensure rapid detection and mitigation of any issues.
A New Future of Energy
Hackberry Carbon Sequestration embodies our commitment to delivering energy that drives a better world. Through safe, permanent Co2 storage, we have the ability to help LNG buyers meet environmental goals, ensure the resilience and competitiveness of critical industries and bring positive economic and environmental benefits to Southwest Louisiana for generations to come.