Reservoir Engineering for Hydrogen Storage in Subsurface Porous Media

Instructor: Dr Gang Wang
Language: English, Chinese
Level: Foundation
Duration and formats:
Online: 2 live sessions of 3-4 hours CPD Points: 4
Classroom: 1 day CPD Points: 5

Course Description

The central objective of this course is to provide participants with a clear understanding of the key challenges and opportunities related to large-scale hydrogen adoption, with a particular focus on hydrogen storage in subsurface porous media. This one-day course presents an overview of the hydrogen value chain, covering production, transportation, and storage, while also addressing the policy and economic factors shaping the hydrogen economy. Participants will explore key physical processes involved in subsurface environments and their implications for underground hydrogen storage. Real-world case studies are demonstrated to enable participants to assess and develop hydrogen storage solutions from a reservoir engineering perspective. The course is structured in three core sections, progressing from an overview of the hydrogen economy to the specific challenges and solutions of subsurface hydrogen storage in geological formations.

  1. Overview of the Hydrogen Value Chain:

    This section offers a comprehensive overview of the hydrogen economy, focusing on the hydrogen value chain alongside key policy frameworks and economic considerations. Participants will explore the current state of each component of the value chain—production, transportation, and storage—gaining insights into their strengths and the challenges of scaling these technologies for widespread adoption. Particular emphasis is placed on the strategic importance of subsurface storage as a cornerstone for enabling large-scale hydrogen deployment and achieving global energy transition goals.

  2. Fundamentals of Modelling Hydrogen Storage in Subsurface Porous Media:

    This section introduces participants to the physical processes governing hydrogen storage in subsurface porous media and their implications for practical technical decisions. Participants will gain an overview of modelling approaches used to simulate flow dynamics, equipping them with foundational knowledge and skills for assessing and developing subsurface hydrogen storage systems. From a reservoir engineering perspective, the session provides a comparative analysis of subsurface hydrogen storage alongside other gas storage applications, such as:

    • Carbon capture and storage (CCS)
    • Natural gas storage

    This comparison highlights differences in flow behaviour, storage capacity, operational requirements, and risk factors unique to hydrogen.

  3. Practical Insights from Real-World Case Studies:

    This section engages participants in detailed discussions centred on real-life case studies. Participants will explore a variety of reservoir types, including:

    • Depleted gas reservoirs
    • Saline aquifers
    • Natural hydrogen reservoirs

    The focus will be on the key technical and operational considerations required to develop and optimise these sites for hydrogen storage. Key topics include:

    • Reservoir engineering strategies such as cushion gas selection
    • Injection and production schedules
    • Flow rate optimisation

    Through these case studies, participants will gain practical insights into the challenges and solutions involved in scaling hydrogen storage technologies.

Course Outline

  1. Introduction to the Hydrogen Value Chain (1 hour)

    • The role of hydrogen in the future energy mix.
    • Overview of hydrogen production, transportation, and storage methods.
    • Recent updates on projects and advancements in the hydrogen value chain.
    • Strategic importance of hydrogen storage in subsurface porous media.

  2. Reservoir Simulation for Underground Hydrogen Storage (1.5 hours)

    • Hydrogen properties and subsurface physical processes.
    • Multiphase flow dynamics: viscous instability, hysteresis, and fluid mixing.
    • Biogeochemical reactions and the associated risks.
    • Distinctions between UHS, CCS, and Natural Gas Storage from a reservoir engineering perspective.

  3. Field Examples: Repurposing Depleted Gas Reservoirs, Saline Aquifers, and Natural Hydrogen Reservoirs (2–2.5 hours)

    • Reservoir characteristics and operational histories of various potential storage sites.
    • Case Study 1: Developing saline aquifers for hydrogen storage.
    • Case Study 2: Repurposing depleted gas reservoirs for hydrogen storage.
    • Case Study 3: Recovering natural hydrogen and subsequently repurposing the reservoir for storage.

  4. Summary and Key Takeaways (30 minutes)

    • Recap of key concepts and strategic insights for implementing UHS.
    • Open discussion on topics of mutual interest with participants.

Participants’ Profile

The course is designed for individuals interested in subsurface hydrogen solutions, including professionals from industry, academia, start-ups, investment groups, and government bodies.

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of reservoir simulation or geology is recommended but not necessary.

About the Instructor

Dr Gang Wang is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering at Heriot-Watt University (HWU), where he leads the Underground Hydrogen Storage theme at the HWU's Net-Zero Global Research Institute (iNetZ+). He is an experienced reservoir engineer and a former Leverhulme Early Career Fellow who had previously worked in industry. He holds both a PhD and an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University. His research centres on the application of numerical simulations to tackle the complexities of multiscale, multiphysics processes in subsurface hydrogen system. His work bridges academic research with industry practice, collaborating with energy companies across Europe and the UK to develop practical, field-scale solutions for underground hydrogen systems.