Assessing the Viability of Oilwell Cement for Underground Hydrogen Storage

Abstract

ABSTRACT Encouraging the use of renewable energy is crucial for meeting our energy needs, but it requires bulk storage to be practical. One potential solution is underground hydrogen storage, which could provide a consistent supply of clean energy for the world. Depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs may be a viable storage option for this purpose, given their existing infrastructure. However, ensuring wellbore integrity is a major challenge when storing hydrogen in such reservoirs. To test the feasibility of this approach, a core holder to replicate wellbore conditions having a 12" long, 4" diameter core sample that has a concentric two-inch drilled hole is used in this study. A one-inch perforated pipe, as the casing, is placed inside the 2" hole, and the cement will be placed between the pipe and the core. 72 hours after pouring the cement between the core and the pipe, hydrogen is injected into the sandstone from the casing through the cement. A CT scanner was then used to detect any leakage channels or cracks in the cement that could compromise the integrity of the storage system. One end of the cemented annulus is connected to a Data Acquisition system via transducers to detect any leakage. This new method could offer a promising alternative for underground hydrogen storage in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs to detect leakage and ensure well integrity. INTRODUCTION Hydrogen is seen as a key element in the energy transition towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future as it is a clean energy carrier which makes it an ideal fuel for a low-carbon energy system. Hydrogen can be used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, electricity generation, heating, and industrial processes. The production of hydrogen using renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, can help decarbonize the energy system. In addition, hydrogen can be used to replace fossil fuels in a wide range of applications, including transportation and industrial processes (Bechara et al., 2022). Hydrogen can be stored for long periods of time, making it an important energy storage medium for intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This can help balance the grid and ensure that energy is available when it is needed (Canbaz et al., 2021). Salt caverns, aquifers, and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs can be used to store large quantities of hydrogen for a long period of time. Depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs are the most suited as hydrogen can be produced and transported in a similar way to natural gas, and existing gas infrastructure can be repurposed for hydrogen use. This could help speed up the adoption of hydrogen as an energy carrier, as it can be distributed through existing pipelines and infrastructure (Al-Hadrami et al., 2022).