Underground hydrogen storage offers a promising solution for sustainable energy, with geologic formations such as salt caverns, aquifers, and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs identified as suitable options for safely storing hydrogen. Some studies have been carried out to investigate hydrogen-rock-fluid interactions. However, none have simultaneously combined experimental analysis and geochemical modeling of the equilibrium and kinetic reactions using a well-characterized North Dakota carbonate formation as a case study to investigate its geochemical characterization and implications. This research explores the mineralogical and fluid composition of specific depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs in North Dakota while investigating the intricate geochemical interplays between hydrogen gas, fluid, and rock formations. This study focused on the Red River Formation, a primary hydrocarbon-producing entity in North Dakota, to unveil its potential for underground hydrogen storage (UHS). This formation's stratigraphic complexity and extensive hydrocarbon yield underscores its significance. We conducted experiments combining analytical tests and geochemical modeling using core samples from the Red River Formation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were employed to decipher mineralogical and elemental constituents. This study covers areas such as the Bicentennial, Coyote Creek, Horse Creek, and Medicine Poll Hills Fields and identified common minerals such as calcite, dolomite, anhydrite, and quartz, along with essential elements such as oxygen, magnesium, aluminum, and silicon. Geochemical simulations were also performed to evaluate the equilibrium and kinetic reactions expected during hydrogen gas injection into this formation. Our findings revealed stable mineral phases, the absence of detrimental environmental impacts, promising prospects for hydrogen storage in the studied carbonate reservoirs without geochemical alterations and promising a sustainable pathway toward net-zero carbon emissions.
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