Perforation design coupled with heterogeneity during underground hydrogen storage in steeply dipping anticline aquifers
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2024
Abstract
Hydrogen has been recognized as a crucial energy carrier to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, as it is not always possible to meet current energy demands, underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is required for energy supply and consumption. UHS is an emerging field of study with limited investigations regarding structural conditions and wellbore perforation design in steeply dipping anticline aquifers. This study investigates different perforation schemes with respect to UHS within steeply dipping anticline aquifers to find the most suitable injection/production design while examining small-scale reservoir heterogeneities. Several UHS improvement techniques are evaluated, including water and CO2 injection through flank wells during hydrogen production. The results indicate that the highest hydrogen production is achieved with a fully perforated H2 well located at the crest as it provides the maximum contact between the hydrogen and aquifer layers during H2 injection/production. In contrast, hydrogen production is diminished with increased heterogeneity, as higher heterogeneities raise the chance of H2 being trapped. To enhance UHS performance, first H2 initialization before UHS beginning was evaluated but the results showed that it does not enhance UHS performance in a steeply dipped anticline aquifers, as effectively as it does in gas reservoirs. Water injection from flank wells during H2 production cycles showed improvement in hydrogen withdrawal, while water production experienced a slight increase. CO2 injection from flank wells was evaluated to effectively increase H2 recovery as a cushion gas and to maintain hydrogen purity during production. According to results, hydrogen purity was not affected only in high heterogeneity, since more hydrogen gets trapped in the small-scale high heterogeneity level, which prevents the mixing zone from reaching the H2 well during production. While the method prevents hydrogen contamination in anticline aquifers due to the high dip angle coupled with high heterogeneity levels, it leads to a lower hydrogen recovery.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Gas Science and Engineering
Recommended Citation
Zamehrian, M., Gupta, I., & Zeidouni, M. (2024). Perforation design coupled with heterogeneity during underground hydrogen storage in steeply dipping anticline aquifers. Gas Science and Engineering, 131 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205470