As climate change impacts escalate, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has become essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, the global CCS market was valued at $3.38 billion, with a projected growth rate of 6.5% through 2033. With cutting-edge carbon capture & storage companies that absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from industrial processes, transport it, and store it underground to prevent atmospheric release, the United States is a leader in CCS innovation. The leading carbon capture & storage companies in the United States are highlighted in this article, along with their creative approaches and contributions to the cause of sustainability.

The Importance of Carbon Capture and Storage

Three essential phases are involved in carbon capture and storage: absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere or from industrial sources, compressing and moving it, and storing it in geological formations like deep saline aquifers or depleted oil and gas reservoirs. For industries where it is difficult to completely eradicate emissions, such as steel, cement, and oil and gas, CCS is especially important. These businesses may greatly lower their carbon footprints by incorporating CCS, which will help them meet international climate targets like the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.

The U.S. has been at the forefront of CCS development, bolstered by federal support, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides a tax credit of $85 per ton of CO2 captured and stored. With 81 projects involving 246 wells under regulatory assessment in the United States as of 2024, this incentive has encouraged investment in CCS projects. These programs demonstrate how important carbon capture & storage companies are to reaching net-zero emissions.

Also Read: Carbon Capture Innovations: Are We Ready to Scale Up?

Leading U.S.-Based Carbon Capture & Storage Companies

1. Occidental Petroleum: Innovating with Direct Air Capture and EOR

Occidental Petroleum, through its subsidiary Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, is a trailblazer among carbon capture & storage companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Occidental is leveraging its expertise in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to integrate CCS into its operations. Occidental is developing STRATOS, one of the largest direct air capture (DAC) facilities in Texas’s Permian Basin, which is expected to capture up to 500,000 tons of CO2 annually.

The facility will utilize large fans to pull CO2 from the atmosphere, storing it underground or using it in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Combining traditional energy expertise with sustainability, Occidental partners with Velocys on the Bayou Fuels project in Mississippi, capturing CO2 from biomass-to-fuels and storing it geologically, resulting in net-negative emissions. Its leadership in environmental protection is expected to be cemented by the estimated 8 million tons of CO2 that its carbon capture and storage (CCS) plants will trap yearly by 2030.

2. ExxonMobil: Scaling CCS Infrastructure

Houston-based ExxonMobil is promoting carbon capture and storage (CCS) with its 2021-launched Low Carbon Solutions division. The company is investing heavily, including a $200 million project at its LaBarge facility in Louisiana for CO2 transport and permanent storage. Its 2023 acquisition of Denbury for $4.9 billion added 1,300 miles of CO2 pipelines and 10 sequestration sites along the Gulf Coast.

In January 2025, ExxonMobil partnered with Chevron and GE Vernova to develop a 4 GW natural gas plant in the U.S. with integrated CCS technology, aiming to capture 90% of emissions, or 3 million tons of CO2 annually, with operations expected by 2027. With its extensive pipeline network and strategic investments, ExxonMobil plays a key role in advancing CCS in the U.S.

3. Carbon Engineering (1PointFive): Pioneering Direct Air Capture

Carbon Engineering, part of Occidental’s 1PointFive division, is a leader in direct air capture (DAC) technology based in California. The company aims to scale DAC to remove historic CO2 emissions, using a proprietary liquid process with potassium hydroxide to capture CO2. It has secured investments from major companies like Chevron and Airbus and is developing a megaton-scale DAC plant in the Permian Basin, targeting one million tonnes of CO2 from the air per year once fully operational. This is roughly equivalent to the work – or absorption capacity – of approximately 40 million trees.

1PointFive plans to deploy up to 70 DAC facilities across the U.S. by 2035, utilizing Occidental’s sequestration expertise with a modular and scalable technology for various industrial applications. By focusing on carbon dioxide removal (CDR), 1PointFive is addressing legacy emissions, complementing traditional CCS efforts and reinforcing its role among top carbon capture & storage companies.

4. CarbonFree: Converting CO2 into Valuable Products

San Antonio-based CarbonFree is revolutionizing CCS by combining carbon capture with utilization. Its patented SkyCycle technology captures CO2 from industrial emitters and converts it into carbon-negative chemicals, such as sodium bicarbonate and hydrochloric acid, used in industries like agriculture and manufacturing. CarbonFree’s technology was deployed at a cement plant in Texas, capturing 50,000 tons of CO2 annually.

CarbonFree’s approach not only reduces emissions but also creates a circular economy by transforming CO2 into marketable products. The company’s modular systems are cost-effective, with capture costs estimated at $30-$50 per ton, well below the industry average. CarbonFree is unique in the CCS industry since it is combining storage and usage, opening the door for sustainable industrial operations.

5. Green Plains: Advancing Bioenergy CCS

With its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, Green Plains is a pioneer in the field of bioenergy carbon capture and storage (BECCS). The company operates ethanol production facilities that integrate CCS to capture CO2 emissions from fermentation. In January 2025, Green Plains launched the Nebraska CCS project, capturing 1.2 million tons of CO2 annually, which is then transported via pipeline for permanent storage in deep saline aquifers.

Green Plains’ focus on BECCS aligns with the growing demand for low-carbon biofuels. The Inflation Reduction Act’s $85 per ton tax credit helps the company’s projects become financially feasible. Green Plains is establishing itself as a major player among carbon capture & storage companies by integrating renewable energy with CCS, thereby supporting a sustainable energy ecology.

Also Read: Economic Viability Of Carbon Capture And Storage (CCS): Balancing Costs And Climate Benefits

Conclusion

The top U.S.-based carbon capture & storage companies—Occidental Petroleum, ExxonMobil, 1PointFive, CarbonFree, and Green Plains—are leading the charge in environmental protection. Through innovative technologies like DAC, point-source capture, and BECCS, emissions from hard-to-abate sectors are being reduced while addressing legacy CO2. The U.S. is expected to be a key player in the worldwide decarbonization process, with 41 CCS projects under consideration and a market estimated at $3.38 billion in 2024. These businesses are building a sustainable future and reducing the effects of climate change.

Also Read: Norway’s First Major Carbon Capture And Storage Project Northern Lights Launched