Project Updates

• Air Products’ contractors are continuing work on the permitted South test well. The public may see some pilings being removed this week; these are a part of a boom system that was removed.
• Air Products’ contractors have replaced its boom line with buoys and flashing lights around the perimeter of the rig to provide a more robust visual safe buffer zone. Boaters should stay outside of these buoys and 500 feet from the rig area for their safety and the safety of the workers.
• Air Products has launched a boater safety guide online and placed signs with a QR code directing people to this website around Lake Maurepas. Boaters should stay 500 feet from the rig area for their safety and the safety of the workers.

Air Products Launches Next Phase of Geologic Research at Lake Maurepas for Louisiana Clean Energy Complex

• Air Products will drill a permitted Class V test well in the southern portion of Lake Maurepas to further assess the pore space – located more than a mile below the lake – to ensure it is suitable for safe and permanent carbon capture storage.
• Carbon capture and storage are critical to protecting Louisiana’s future as an energy leader and strengthening America’s energy independence.
• The permitted Class V test well will provide core and fluid samples, and other data, which will supplement the data already gathered from subsurface seismic testing, which was safely completed in early July 2023.

Air Products has started the next phase of geologic testing required for safe and permanent carbon storage beneath Lake Maurepas as part of its Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, which will create clean energy and strengthen America’s energy independence.

With this next phase, Air Products will be deploying a temporary rig and other equipment to drill a permitted test well on Lake Maurepas to further assess the pore space – located more than a mile below the lake – to ensure it is suitable for safe and permanent carbon storage. The Louisiana Clean Energy Complex will produce clean hydrogen and use carbon capture technology to capture 95 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from the production of the hydrogen, and then permanently and safely store the CO₂ more than a mile below Lake Maurepas.

“Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Air Products, and this next phase of pore space assessment is critical to ensuring it’s suitable before any CO₂ is permanently stored,” Andrew Connolly, Air Products’ Vice President and General Manager of Low-Carbon Hydrogen Large Projects, said. “This process will provide a more complete view of the geology found more than a mile underneath the lake, where Air Products intends to permanently and safely store the carbon dioxide as part of our efforts to produce clean hydrogen.”

Air Products will collect materials like core and fluid samples, and other data from the well to supplement the data gathered as part of subsurface seismic testing, which was safely completed at the beginning of July. The data collected will form the basis of the company’s planned permit application for a Class VI Carbon Sequestration well on Lake Maurepas.

Equipment for drilling the permitted Class V test well has begun traveling to Lake Maurepas and will include barges, boats and a rig. The drilling rig also includes temporary crew quarters for around-the-clock staffing and monitoring during construction.

Supervisors and managers will always be present and on duty, bring collective decades of experience, and are extensively trained on both safety and environmental stewardship to support the safety and wellbeing of the lake and those who use it.

Air Products is committed to ensuring the structures on Lake Maurepas are as unobstructive to daily use of the lake as possible, and still easily seen by boaters for safety purposes. Boater safety updates are being posted online and will be publicized via QR codes that will be posted around the Lake.

1) Patch 3 work (of six overall) in the lake's middle-western area remains underway. Those on the lake may see orange buoys (approx. football sized), flat green floating receivers & green and red buoys (approx. 3-5 ft. tall), which are held in place by cinder blocks. Note: Patch Cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Air Products received its permit for a Class V test well from LDNR for work on Lake Maurepas.

3) Subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. The public may see general operations in the early mornings and evenings.

4) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Contact 225-250-7995 or lahydrog@airproducts.com for more information.

5) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

6) There are no Air Products activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) Patch 3 work (of six overall) in the lake's middle-western area has begun. Those on the lake may see orange buoys (approx. football sized), flat green floating receivers & green and red buoys (approx. 3-5 ft. tall), which are held in place by cinder blocks. Note: Patch Cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Air Products received its permit for a Class V test well from LDNR for work on Lake Maurepas.

3) Subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. The public may see general operations in the early mornings and evenings.

4) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Contact 225-250-7995 or lahydrog@airproducts.com for more information.

5) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

6) There are no Air Products activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) Patch 2 of the six-patch subsurface seismic survey at Lake Maurepas is complete, and Patch 3 work in the lake's middle-western has begun. Those on the lake may expect to see orange buoys (approx. football sized), flat green floating receivers & green and red buoys (approx. 3-5 ft. tall) which are held in place by cinder blocks. Note: Patch Cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. The public may see general operations in the early mornings and evenings.

3) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Contact 225-250-7995 or lahydrog@airproducts.com for more information.

4) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

5) There are no Air Products activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) Work in Patch 2 and seismic testing will continue this week, weather permitting. Work in Patch 3 is expected to begin soon. Activity in the southwest corner of the lake is near completion and work is slated to begin in the middle-western area. Those on the lake may expect to see orange buoys (approximately the size of a football), flat green floating receivers & green and red buoys (approx. 3-5 foot tall). They are all held in place by cinder blocks. Note: Cleanup is being done as work is conducted. 

2) Subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. The public may see general operations in the early mornings and evenings.

3) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Contact 225-250-7995 or lahydrog@airproducts.com for more information.

4) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area located across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

5) There are no Air Products activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) Work in Patch 2 continues in the southwest corner of the lake and seismic testing will continue, weather permitting. Those on the lake may expect to see orange buoys (approximately the size of a football), flat green floating receivers & green and red buoys (approx. 3-5 foot tall). They are all held in place by cinder blocks. Note: Cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. The public may see general operations in the early mornings and evenings.

3) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Contact 225-250-7995 or lahydrog@airproducts.com for more information.

4) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area located across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

5) There are no Air Products activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) Work in Patch 2 continues, and seismic testing will resume this week, weather permitting. The public will likely see and hear activity on Lake Maurepas. Cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. The public may see general operations in the early mornings and evenings.

3) Geophones are visible on the lake.

4) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Contact 225-250-7995 or lahydrog@airproducts.com for more information.

5) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area located across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

6) There are no Air Products activities on Lake Pontchartrain. 

1) Following the safe and successful completion of the seismic work in Patch 1, work in Patch 2 has started. The public may see and hear continued activity on Lake Maurepas. Cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. The public may see general operations in the early mornings and evenings.

3) Geophones are visible on the lake.

4) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Contact 225-250-7995 or lahydrog@airproducts.com for more information.

5) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area located across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

6) There are no Air Products activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) We are continuing work on the test wells and subsurface seismic study on the lake so increased activity may be seen and heard. Routinely, subsurface seismic survey work is done only during daylight hours. At times, general operations may be seen in the early mornings and evenings. Lake cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Geophones are currently visible on the lake.

3) Air Products' established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy contact information is below.

4) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac and a seismic survey staging area is located across from Middendorf's Restaurant.

5) Southeastern Louisiana University completed a draft copy of a baseline historical report on Lake Maurepas, which will soon be made available to the public.

6) There are no current activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) We are continuing work on the test wells and seismic study on the lake; therefore, increased activity may be seen and heard. Lake cleanup is being done as work is conducted.

2) Geophones (about the size of a dinner plate) are currently visible on the lake to measure sound waves.

3) Air Products' established crab trap damage reimbursement policy contact information is below.

4) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac.

5) A seismic survey staging area is located across from Middendorf's Restaurant (off Hwy. 51). A ramp was recently added and a jack up barge is on site.

6) Southeastern Louisiana University completed a draft copy of a baseline historical report on Lake Maurepas, which will soon be made available to the public.

7) There are no current activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) We are continuing work on the test wells and seismic study on the lake; therefore, increased activity may be seen and heard.

2) Geophones (about the size of a dinner plate) are currently visible on the lake to measure sound waves.

3) Air Products' established crab trap damage reimbursement policy contact information is below.

4) Air Products has a project management trailer and laydown area at Port Manchac.

5) A seismic survey staging area is located across from Middendorf's Restaurant (off Hwy. 51). A ramp was recently added and a jack up barge is on site.

6) Southeastern Louisiana University is conducting environmental testing of Lake Maurepas and will provide a baseline environmental report.

7) There are no current activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1) Expect to see increased project preparatory activity and boat traffic on Lake Maurepas. 

2) Geophones, to measure sound waves, will be temporarily placed in the "Phase One" area of the lake. They are about the size of a dinner plate and will be visible on the lake.

3) Air Products has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy. Questions may be directed to the contact info below.

4) Air Products has a project management trailer and storage area at Port Manchac.

5) A seismic survey staging area is located across from Middendorf's Restaurant (off Hwy. 51). A ramp was recently added and a jack up barge is on site.

6) Southeastern Louisiana University is conducting environmental testing of Lake Maurepas and will provide a baseline environmental report.

7) There are no current activities on Lake Pontchartrain.

1. Air Products will hold the rescheduled seismic demonstration on Monday, December 5.


2. Southeastern Louisiana University is conducting environmental testing of Lake Maurepas and will provide a baseline environmental report.


3. Air Products met with a group of Lake Maurepas crab fisherman and has established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy.


4. Air Products has a project management trailer and storage area at Port Manchac.


5. A seismic survey staging area is located across from Middendorf's Restaurant (off Hwy. 51). A ramp was recently added and a jack up barge is on site.


6. Several project boats are assessing and mapping Lake Maurepas and there are no current activities on Lake Pontchartrain. 

1. Air Products has filed an application for a Class V Stratigraphic Test Well to be located in the northern part of Lake Maurepas. Air Products has already received the Office of Coastal Management and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits for this well.


2. Southeastern Louisiana University began environmental testing of Lake Maurepas in October and is gathering information to provide a baseline environmental report.


3. Air Products recently met with a group of Lake Maurepas crab fisherman and established a crab trap damage reimbursement policy.


4. Air Products has a trailer and storage area used for project management at Port Manchac.


5. A seismic survey staging area is located across from Middendorf's Restaurant (off Hwy. 51). A ramp was recently added to the access platform at the wharf. Additionally, a jack up barge is expected to be placed in the water this week.


6. There are currently several project boats assessing and mapping Lake Maurepas.


7. Air Products is planning a demonstration to show what is involved with seismic testing. A date will be announced soon.


8. No activities are currently being conducted on Lake Ponchartrain. 

Beginning Work for Two Test Well Locations is Underway

In addition to the subsurface survey, Air Products has begun preliminary work to install two stratigraphic test wells on Lake Maurepas. The purpose is to further confirm the geology beneath Lake Maurepas as suitable for permanent sequestration of CO₂. 

Air Products received the necessary permits to conduct this test well work in the lake's south location from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Louisiana Office of Coastal Management. 

Lake Maurepas Seismic Survey Work

Air Products will construct a state-of-the-art clean energy complex in Ascension Parish. This clean energy complex will make Louisiana a leader in the U.S. clean energy transition. The project will produce clean hydrogen and feature the world’s largest site for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and permanent sequestration. Carbon sequestration is permanent, proven and an environmentally sound disposition of CO2. Louisiana’s geology is some of the best in the world for sequestration. Approximately 95 percent of the CO2 generated at the new facility will be captured, compressed, and transported safely to permanent sequestration sites (geologic pore space) beneath Lake Maurepas. Air Products has received approval from the State Mineral and Energy Board – part of the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources – for the permanent sequestration of the CO2 in this area. The permanent sequestration area is approximately one mile beneath the surface and will have no effect on water tables. A seismic survey of Lake Maurepas is to begin in October 2022 through Spring 2023. A seismic survey is a 3D visual safety inspection of underground geology to help ensure the safest places to permanently store CO2 are assessed and confirmed. This survey is required as part of the permitting process.

The survey will be conducted by Exoduas Inc. in six phases, allowing continued boating access and recreation on the lake. Sound waves similar to a fish finder will produce 3D images of underground geologic structures. These sound waves are produced using small charges 60 feet beneath the water bottom. Passive receiver units called “nodal geophones” will record sound waves from the source points to map the subsurface formations in the area. Receivers are approximately 8” high and 3” in diameter and will be placed on cane poles (seismic source location markers) at the surface of the water and on land areas north and southeast of the lake.

For more information, please contact: lahydrog@airproducts.com.