Underground Hydrogen storage (uhs)
GeoContainment™ for UHS
The hydrogen economy offers a potentially sustainable, long-term pathway to support the global decarbonization strategy and energy security. When used as a fuel, hydrogen produces only water vapor as a byproduct, making it a low-carbon energy carrier.
For underground hydrogen storage (UHS), significant gaps exist in our understanding of hydrogen’s behavior in subsurface environments. Hydrogen has very different physical and chemical properties compared to other geologically stored fluids/gasses. Salt caverns are proven options due to the salt formations’ inert and impermeable properties.
Geocontainment™ is the containing of subsurface operations within their designed systems to prevent undesirable consequences. This concept is important to the design, construction and operation of subsurface caverns formed out of bedded salt deposits or salt domes.
With Hydrogen, we also want to be able to extract it seasonally or intermittently for energy applications, concerns over diffusion and loss or leakage from the storage site. The integrity of wellbores and overlying caprocks will likely be even more important to hydrogen storage than CO2.
BGES is experienced in geocontainment and caprock integrity evaluations that include geotechnical lab testing, in-situ testing, logging, and computer modelling for salt caverns. Not only that, we are also conducting lead-edge research to develop recommendations for the development of codes and standards for cap rock strength integrity of potential subsurface storage sites for hydrogen gas in Canada.
Site Screening & Selection
BGES delivers comprehensive services for hydrogen storage site screening, selection, and geomodelling. Potential sites, such as salt formations or depleted gas fields, are identified in the screening phase. The selection process involves evaluating storage capacity and seal integrity, while also identifying leakage pathways and subsurface proximity to other activities. Surface factors like rights-of-way and land proximity are also assessed. Static geological models are developed to serve as the basis for subsequent modelling and evaluations.
Core Preservation and Management
Once the core samples arrive at our geotechnical lab, BGES ensures diligent preservation and management to maintain their integrity. We handle the cores with extreme care, immediately placing them in a controlled environment to preserve the original rock properties. This crucial step ensures that subsequent testing reflects the true characteristics of the storage formation and caprocks in-situ. After safe transport to our lab in Calgary, the cores undergo further processing and detailed analysis by our experienced technical professionals, ensuring high-quality results and reliable data.
Geotechnical Lab Testing
BGES uses proprietary methods for handling core samples, ensuring accurate results during testing. In addition to standard triaxial tests, permeability testing evaluates the caprock’s ability to restrict hydrogen flow, helping predict potential fluid migration and overall containment effectiveness. Capillary breakthrough tests are equally critical in assessing the caprock’s performance as a barrier to prevent hydrogen intrusion by maintaining interfacial tension within the pore network. This comprehensive suite of geotechnical lab tests ensures safe and efficient UHS operations by thoroughly evaluating storage containment.
Mini-Frac / DFIT
Mini-fracs (or DFITs) are performed for UHS projects to indirectly measure the minimum in-situ stresses of the storage and caprock formations, a key factor in determining safe injection pressure and caprock integrity. BGES employs a comprehensive approach to DFITs, using diagnostic tools to estimate additional parameters such as in-situ stress, reservoir permeability, and pore pressure. The results help define the maximum operating pressure (MOP) and generate inputs for geomechanical modeling, ensuring the integrity of the storage formation and caprock. Our expert analysis delivers reliable, consistent results to support safe and efficient hydrogen storage operations.
Step Rate Test (SRT)
Step-rate injectivity test has been a proven method for effectively determining the formation parting pressure (or FPP). AER’s Directive 51 relies on this pressure to establish the maximum injection pressure in injection/disposal wells. The success of an SRT hinges on factors such as the initial injection rate, precise time steps, and rate increments. At BGES, our expertise lies in utilizing a test simulator and employing a meticulous multi-stage approach to design the optimal injection schedule. We are highly experienced in designing and successfully executing SRTs to satisfy regulatory requirements.
Legacy Well Integrity Assesssment
With over 23 years of experience in wireline services, BGES specializes in legacy well integrity logging and evaluations for CCUS applications. Our expertise includes comprehensive assessments using casing inspection logs, cement bond logs, and advanced multi-temperature profiling to ensure the integrity of legacy wells. Trust BGES to deliver high-quality, reliable results in even the most challenging environments, as we remain committed to supporting the long-term success of CCUS projects.
Subsurface Modelling
BGES offers a suite of subsurface modeling solutions for UHS, ensuring safe and environmentally responsible operations. This includes geological models that depict the storage unit, primary seal, and surrounding geological layers. Reservoir flow and transport models predict fluid movement and assess storage capacity, while geochemical models evaluate chemical reactivity and H₂ behavior. Geomechanical models identify areas where pressure changes could compromise seals, assess seismicity risks, and detect potential issues early. Together, these models provide a precise, integrated approach for effective hydrogen storage management.
Cavern Modelling
Cavern simulations can provide valuable insights into changes in in-situ stresses and conditions throughout the cavern’s lifecycle. Geomechanical modelling is heavily dependent on having accurate inputs with real-life data. This involves good data quality control, sound geological interpretation and correct model setup. At BGES, numerical modelling of caverns involves a 4-stage process using the WIPP-creep viscoplastic model and is performed by experienced subject matter experts.
Spinner Survey
Spinner surveys are crucial for evaluating fluid behavior in carbon disposal wells, optimizing storage operations. Multiple passes at varying tool and fluid velocities create a detailed flow profile. BGES interprets the data to assess flow rates, identify preferential areas, and detect potential issues, helping clients optimize production and ensure well integrity while minimizing migration risks.
Cavern Mechanical Integrity Testing (MIT)
BGES is actively developing new technologies to improve the execution and accuracy of cavern MITs while reducing the associated costs. Our latest patent-pending development is a multi-receiver density interface detection tool with a vertical resolution of up to 2” (or 5 cm) and capable of making continuous measurements of interface level, downhole pressure, and temperature.
Sonar Survey
BGES has formed official exclusive partnership with SOCON to provide high-quality sonar surveys to cavern operators across Canada. SOCON is a world-renowned sonar survey tool and equipment manufacturer. The company was established in 1991 in Germany and has remained as a specialist in high-quality sonar surveillance of underground caverns since.
