JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – As part of the work to conduct studies on the viability of carbon storage at the Spiritwood Energy Park, seismic testing was needed to explore the feasibility of such a project.

Midwest AgEnergy Group (MAG) owns and operates the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy Facility near Spiritwood, where they purchase about 25 million bushels of corn and produce over 70 million gallons of ethanol each year.

Adam Dunlop, Director of Regulatory & Strategic Planning with Midwest AgEnergy, informed the Stutsman County Commission in August that this produces over 200,000 tons per year of C02.

The sequestration will ultimately decrease the carbon intensity of ethanol produced at the facility and may provide income tax credits.

Dunlop says to better understand the sustainability of the geology in Stutsman County, a Geophysical Survey is commonly conducted. This is where a seismic source generates vibrations that travel deep into the earth and are reflected back to the surface.

Seismic testing began earlier this month on approximately 40 miles of county roads and farmland. Dunlop says no vibrations would be induced where there are buildings, water wells, pipelines, and other infrastructure.

Jeff Zueger, Chief Executive Officer for Midwest AgEnergy Group, says testing has gone well for them so far.

Zueger added they are not conducting any C02 capture at this time.

The survey was delayed due to rural water lines being located within 300 feet of the testing. So officials had to wait for most harvest to be done before starting. Zueger estimates they’ll be finished by this week with testing baring any setbacks.