Projects

Arizona Subsurface Web Viewer

Description: The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) Arizona Subsurface Viewer web map application provides data and information about Arizona's natural resources in the subsurface. This interactive map has over 40 unique layers of geology related data to explore, and many are available to download. 

Location: State-wide

Date: Version 1 live on 8/20/2025

Link: Web Map

 

 

Pre-feasibility Study of the Harquahala Basin for Subsurface CO₂ Storage

Description: This study evaluated the basin geometry, structure, and stratigraphic architecture of Harquahala basin and provided site characterization for future potential subsurface CO₂ and H₂ storage. This was achieved through the integration of both public and proprietary datasets including geologic maps, well data, vintage 2D seismic, and gravity information.

Location: Harquahala Valley, La Paz and Maricopa Counties, AZ

Collaborators: Kurt Constenius

Start & end dates: January 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023

Funding source: U.S. Department of Energy through the Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership (CUSP) West

Amount: $119,852

Publication Links: Report, Poster, StoryMap

 

Collaborative Bedded Salt Research to Support Potential H₂ and CO₂ Geologic Storage in Arizona

Description: AZGS researchers are compiling data on salt cores throughout the state and inputting the data into a new AZ salt core inventory database. Researchers are building working relations with LANL to characterize the samples and learn more about salt research in relation to H₂ and CO₂ gas storage.

Location: Distributed locations throughout Arizona

Collaborators: Los Alamos National Lab (LANL)

Start & end dates: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024

Funding source: University of Arizona’s Technology and Research Initiative Fund

Amount: $49,690

Links: News article

 

Subsurface Characterization of the Big Sandy Valley

Description: AZGS researchers will integrate new surficial geologic map data, gravity-based depth-to-bedrock contours, well information, and newly reprocessed 2D seismic to characterize the subsurface through the creation of cross sections throughout the basin. The three-dimensional model will then be created, followed by an accompanying report.

Location: Big Sandy Valley, Mohave County, AZ

Start & end dates:  September 20, 2022 – September 19, 2024

Funding source: the STATEMAP component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

Amount: $87,483

Publication Links: Report

 Southwest Regional Direct Air Capture Hub

Description: This project aims to develop a Direct Air Capture Hub for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere located in the Four Corners area of the Southwestern United States. This project will develop engineering studies for anchoring the DAC systems, develop an infrastructure plan to transport the carbon to the sequestration sites, and develop a storage plan for the three sites that could support at least 12 years of carbon capture. The Arizona Geological Survey will provide technical support for the subsurface characterization at the site in northeastern Arizona. 

Location: Four Corners area in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah

Collaborators (AZ storage): Arizona State University, New Mexico Tech, Proton Green, The University of Utah

Start & end dates: October 1, 2024 -September 30, 2026

Funding source: U.S. Department of Energy

Subaward amount: $59,848

Link: project website

Image credit: from the SW Regional DAC Hub project site (link above)

 

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Partnership (CUSP): Four Corners Regional Initiative

Description: The overall objective is to implement a regional initiative to accelerate deployment of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) within the Four Corners region, United States. This project will provide technical and engagement support for stakeholders within the Four Corners region to develop a framework to accelerate the establishment of Carbon Management Hub. Arizona 

Location: Four Corners area in Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado

Collaborators: New Mexico Tech, Arizona State University, University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Lab, Sandia National Lab, contractors and 7 industry partners

Start & end dates: October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2026

Funding source: U.S. Department of Energy

Subaward amount: $250,376

 

Distributed Mafic Rock Resources for CO₂ Mineralization in Arizona

Description: This project evaluates the CO₂ mineralization reactivity from a variety of young scoria (cinder) cones and lava flows throughout the state. A Mafic Materials Resource Inventory (MMRI) will be created to house discrete datasets of physical and hydrologic rock properties, mafic rock geochemistry, water quality, water source, current land use, land accessibility, available rock volume, and, most importantly, CO₂ mineralization reactivity. MMRI data will be coupled with a new Direct Air Capture to Mineralization (DACM) system model to help advance the commercialization of CO₂ removal and utilization on a local scale.

Location: Distributed locations throughout Arizona

Collaborators: Northern Arizona University & Arizona State University

Start & end dates:  July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025

Funding source: U.S. Department of Energy

Total award amount: $1,169,245

 

Arizona Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Program - Data Preservation Project

Description: AZGS is providing data preservation services to AZOGCC to support their orphaned well program.

Location: Distributed locations throughout Arizona

Collaborators: Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AZOGCC) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)

Start & end dates: 2022 - 2025

Funding source: U.S. Department of the Interior through AZOGCC

Awarded amount: $600,000

 

Statewide Evaluation of CO₂ Geologic Storage Potential

Description: This study will evaluate new potential targets and augment and refine existing storage targets for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS). As part of AZGS and CUSP efforts, subsurface data will be utilized for a machine-readable, open-access regional database with vetted, high-quality subsurface geology, infrastructure, industrial, and relatable databases for reservoir characterization to inform decision-making by stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, regulators, federal, state, and tribal governments.

Location: Distributed throughout Arizona

Collaborators: Carbon Utilization and Storage Partnership (CUSP) West

Start & end dates:  10/1/2019 – 9/30/2025

Funding source: U.S. Department of Energy through CUSP West

Subaward amount: $318,837