Aera Energy, a leader in California energy production, is harnessing carbon capture and storage (CCS), which is backed by decades of science and has been successfully implemented in a number of well-studied situations. Along with Kern County’s skilled workforce and infrastructure, we have the right combinations to advance CarbonFrontier, a carbon capture and storage project, as part of a regional hub for future decarbonization efforts.
CarbonFrontier. The next level in high-tech energy production. Located in the heart of Aera Energy’s Kern County Belridge oil fields, this innovative carbon capture and storage (CCS) project harnesses the power of Aera’s innovation, oil and gas expertise and Kern County’s history of energy leadership to help keep energy safe, reliable and affordable for all Californians.
In development since 2019, CarbonFrontier is the next frontier in Aera’s more than 25-year journey and a critical part of our vision for a lower-carbon future. CCS is reshaping the energy landscape in California helping to forge a path toward carbon neutrality. The state’s plan for achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 calls for the adoption of CCS to reduce carbon emissions from industrial processes.
CarbonFrontier will leverage the similar technology to capture CO2 from existing produced gas streams and other sources at our Belridge oil field and safely inject it deep underground for permanent storage.
Once operational in the late 2020s, CarbonFrontier will capture and store up to 1.6 million metric (MM Mt) tons of CO2 per year, that’s the equivalent to offsetting the carbon footprint of 30,000 households. The target is enormous since the state’s plan requires over 100 MM Mt of storage per year.
Aera envisions CarbonFrontier as a cornerstone to developing a Kern County “carbon park,” potentially attracting other businesses that need storage to decarbonize their operations.
In August 2023, an Aera subsidiary was selected by the Department of Energy to study the feasibility of a direct air capture hub. These projects can anchor a transformative innovation center, where businesses come together to share mutual benefits. Essentially, creating an ecosystem of supply and storage with an opportunity to grow.
CarbonFrontier will be highly regulated under stringent federal, state, and local regulations and monitored by Aera and agencies including the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in much the same way that the oil and gas production process is currently regulated.
Facilities undergo stringent testing and monitoring to ensure integrity and safety before any operations begin, throughout the life of the project.
Aera is excited to work alongside local community partners as we bring CarbonFrontier online in Kern County helping to ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s energy transformation.
“Innovation is at the heart of our region’s future and projects like CarbonFrontier embody the transformation at the core of Kern County’s revitalization. Aera’s investment in innovation and development of Carbon Capture and Storage will add to Kern’s reputation as California’s energy hub and enhance our competitiveness on a global scale. We're proud to have locally based Aera as a partner in shaping a brighter future for all of us.”
Dr. Lynnette Zelezny
President, California State University, Bakersfield
“Aera Energy's CarbonFrontier and Direct Air Capture–Kern County projects demonstrate real progress toward reaching carbon neutrality in California, as well as create groundbreaking opportunities for prosperity in Kern County.”
Dr. Sheri Horn-Bunk
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement and Foundation, Taft College Foundation
“With CarbonFrontier and DAC - Kern, Aera is set to bolster Kern County's legacy role in energy production. These projects hold the potential to uplift our community through exciting new employment opportunities and significant investments boosting our region's economic vitality.”
Clint Olivier
CEO, Central Valley Business Federation
“Kern County's legacy of powering California is undeniable, and with the introduction of CarbonFrontier, we are poised to elevate our region's role in energy production and innovation. This endeavor, led by Aera, not only symbolizes progress but also promises a surge in high-quality jobs and economic growth within our communities. The future shines brightly as we embrace projects like CarbonFrontier, shaping a path towards prosperity and supporting the next chapter for Kern County.”
Mari Pérez-Dowling
President & CEO, United Way of Kern County
“LULAC Council 3272 and LULAC District 11 Valle de San Joaquin in keeping with our Mission Statement to support projects that benefit the health, environment and the economic condition of communities in the San Joaquin Valley, support the DAC – Kern and CarbonFrontier projects. These projects will be a benefit for the environment and to communities in Kern County; thus, we lend our support. Aera's steadfast commitment, along with transformative endeavors like DAC- Kern and CarbonFrontier, holds the key to the prosperous future we envision.”
Rick Garcia
President, Kern County League of United Latin American Citizens
“Aera's innovative energy projects, particularly CarbonFrontier and DAC-Kern, are the future cornerstone of economic prosperity in Kern County. These projects not only fortify our region's status as the energy capital of California but also fuel new job creation that drives our economic vitality. Aera's unwavering dedication to balancing energy needs with environmental responsibility exemplifies the kind of partnership we need to thrive and prosper in Kern County.”
Richard Chapman
President & CEO, Kern Economic Development Corporation
“The Kern County Science Foundation is committed to advancing youth interest in STEM and bringing awareness to new technologies like Aera's CarbonFrontier and Direct Air Capture (DAC) – Kern. We're excited to promote innovative projects that work towards sustainability and benefit our community, and smart projects like this are the key to transforming Kern County for the future.”
Dr. Andrea Medina
President, Kern County Science Foundation
“At the Kern Community Foundation, I get to see firsthand Aera’s commitment to Kern County. They are committed to growing our community through their robust charitable giving, and we are proud to partner with Aera to make Kern County a better place to live and work. Aera is also on the forefront of innovative energy projects like CarbonFrontier and DAC-Kern. These projects show Aera’s commitment to powering our community's economic growth. The social investment and good jobs they bring are opportunities for our families and neighbors to thrive. This kind of innovation that creates jobs, improves lives, and shapes the future of Kern County.”
Aaron Falk
President & CEO, Kern Community Foundation
“Aera Energy's enduring support for the Golden Empire Gleaners over the past 25 years speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment to our community. Through transformative initiatives like CarbonFrontier and DAC-Kern, Aera not only showcases innovation but also continues to be a stalwart pillar of Kern County’s economic prosperity. Their investments reinforce our standing as a hub of energy production, innovation and progress. With partners like Aera, the future shines brighter for all of us.”
Debbie Powers
Executive Director, Golden Empire Gleaners
“Innovation is at the heart of our region’s future and projects like CarbonFrontier embody the transformation at the core of Kern County’s revitalization. Aera’s investment in innovation and development of Carbon Capture and Storage will add to Kern’s reputation as California’s energy hub and enhance our competitiveness on a global scale. We're proud to have locally based Aera as a partner in shaping a brighter future for all of us.”
Dr. Lynnette Zelezny
President, California State University, Bakersfield
“Aera Energy's CarbonFrontier and Direct Air Capture–Kern County projects demonstrate real progress toward reaching carbon neutrality in California, as well as create groundbreaking opportunities for prosperity in Kern County.”
Dr. Sheri Horn-Bunk
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement and Foundation, Taft College Foundation
“With CarbonFrontier and DAC - Kern, Aera is set to bolster Kern County's legacy role in energy production. These projects hold the potential to uplift our community through exciting new employment opportunities and significant investments boosting our region's economic vitality.”
Clint Olivier
CEO, Central Valley Business Federation
“Kern County's legacy of powering California is undeniable, and with the introduction of CarbonFrontier, we are poised to elevate our region's role in energy production and innovation. This endeavor, led by Aera, not only symbolizes progress but also promises a surge in high-quality jobs and economic growth within our communities. The future shines brightly as we embrace projects like CarbonFrontier, shaping a path towards prosperity and supporting the next chapter for Kern County.”
Mari Pérez-Dowling
President & CEO, United Way of Kern County
“LULAC Council 3272 and LULAC District 11 Valle de San Joaquin in keeping with our Mission Statement to support projects that benefit the health, environment and the economic condition of communities in the San Joaquin Valley, support the DAC – Kern and CarbonFrontier projects. These projects will be a benefit for the environment and to communities in Kern County; thus, we lend our support. Aera's steadfast commitment, along with transformative endeavors like DAC- Kern and CarbonFrontier, holds the key to the prosperous future we envision.”
Rick Garcia
President, Kern County League of United Latin American Citizens
“Aera's innovative energy projects, particularly CarbonFrontier and DAC-Kern, are the future cornerstone of economic prosperity in Kern County. These projects not only fortify our region's status as the energy capital of California but also fuel new job creation that drives our economic vitality. Aera's unwavering dedication to balancing energy needs with environmental responsibility exemplifies the kind of partnership we need to thrive and prosper in Kern County.”
Richard Chapman
President & CEO, Kern Economic Development Corporation
“The Kern County Science Foundation is committed to advancing youth interest in STEM and bringing awareness to new technologies like Aera's CarbonFrontier and Direct Air Capture (DAC) – Kern. We're excited to promote innovative projects that work towards sustainability and benefit our community, and smart projects like this are the key to transforming Kern County for the future.”
Dr. Andrea Medina
President, Kern County Science Foundation
“At the Kern Community Foundation, I get to see firsthand Aera’s commitment to Kern County. They are committed to growing our community through their robust charitable giving, and we are proud to partner with Aera to make Kern County a better place to live and work. Aera is also on the forefront of innovative energy projects like CarbonFrontier and DAC-Kern. These projects show Aera’s commitment to powering our community's economic growth. The social investment and good jobs they bring are opportunities for our families and neighbors to thrive. This kind of innovation that creates jobs, improves lives, and shapes the future of Kern County.”
Aaron Falk
President & CEO, Kern Community Foundation
“Aera Energy's enduring support for the Golden Empire Gleaners over the past 25 years speaks volumes about their unwavering commitment to our community. Through transformative initiatives like CarbonFrontier and DAC-Kern, Aera not only showcases innovation but also continues to be a stalwart pillar of Kern County’s economic prosperity. Their investments reinforce our standing as a hub of energy production, innovation and progress. With partners like Aera, the future shines brighter for all of us.”
Debbie Powers
Executive Director, Golden Empire Gleaners
