ABQ Times

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are exploring the potential of using depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs for storing hydrogen, a carbon-free fuel with various clean energy applications. Led by Sandia chemical engineer Tuan Ho, the research aims to investigate the feasibility of underground hydrogen storage as a means of addressing energy needs and decarbonizing the energy sector.

In a recent paper published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Ho's team shared their findings on the underground storage of hydrogen. The study focuses on understanding if hydrogen stored in depleted oil and gas reservoirs will remain secure or encounter issues such as leakage or contamination.

Through a combination of computer simulations and laboratory experiments, the team examined the interactions of hydrogen with sandstone and shale, common components of oil and gas reservoirs. Ho emphasized the importance of preventing hydrogen from migrating away from the storage zone, highlighting the economic implications of such loss.

Regarding the potential risk of contamination, Ho's team discovered that residual natural gas could be released into the hydrogen when injected into a depleted natural gas reservoir. While this may lead to the presence of carbon dioxide upon burning the hydrogen, the researchers are actively studying the effects on oil reservoirs and potential interactions with leftover oil.

Don Conley, the manager for Sandia's underground hydrogen storage work, emphasized the significance of widely distributed means of storing hydrogen for creating a hydrogen economy. Recognizing that storage in salt caverns is not universally available, the research into depleted oil and gas reservoirs and aquifers offers a geologically distributed alternative for large-scale hydrogen storage.

The ultimate goal of this research, as highlighted by Conley, is to contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector by exploring innovative storage solutions for hydrogen. The project, funded by Sandia's Laboratory Directed Research and Development program, is paving the way for potential field-scale tests to demonstrate the feasibility of using subterranean reservoirs for storing hydrogen.

As the quest for sustainable energy sources continues, the study of underground hydrogen storage represents a significant step towards achieving a cleaner and more efficient energy future.