Date of Award

December 2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Petroleum Engineering

First Advisor

Hadi Jabbari

Abstract

Hydrogen is advancing as a low-carbon energy carrier, necessitating storage to buffer supply-demand variability. Previous Underground Hydrogen Storage studies have not integrated experimental, geochemical, and numerical modeling approaches in a single investigation. This study integrates laboratory mineralogy, geochemical modeling and compositional simulation to assess underground hydrogen storage feasibility in North Dakota. Two settings were evaluated: depleted Red River carbonate reservoirs and an Inyan Kara sandstone aquifer. Thirty-seven core plugs underwent X-ray Diffraction/X-ray Fluorescence/Scanning Electron Microscopy characterization. Batch geochemical models (3,600 days) quantified hydrogen-rock-brine interactions. Field-scale simulations for Red River (~220 °F, ~3,000 psi) applied cyclic injection-withdrawal over 1,827 days (three cycles) and 10,950 days (three cycles) with hysteresis, diffusion and cushion-gas sensitivities. Carbonates are calcite-dolomite-anhydrite, the aquifer is calcite-quartz-plagioclase. Phases remained stable (SI ≤ 0) with no hydrogen sulfide or pyrite, implying negligible reaction-driven porosity/permeability change. Operational targets were met (injection ~5.43x10^5 scf/d; production ~1.11x10^6 scf/d). Decadal cycling yielded ˃96% recovery (unrecovered ≤3.6%). The aquifer achieved highest recovery but most water production. Cushion gas enhanced injectivity and sustained deliverability. Collectively, the integrated evidence indicates low-reactivity, technically viable underground hydrogen storage in North Dakota and provides decision-grade inputs for pilot design, risk management, and scale-up.

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