Experience in ranking depleted hydrocarbon deposits as potential hydrogen storage facilities (on the example of the Volga-Ural oil and gas province)

UDK: 553.98:622.691.24

DOI: 10.24887/0028-2448-2026-6-28-32

Key words: hydrogen, depleted hydrocarbon deposits, hydrogen energy, cap rock, reservoir, Volga-Ural oil and gas province

Authors: L.A. Abukova (Oil and Gas Research Institute of the RAS, RF, Moscow); S.F. Khafizov(Gubkin University, RF, Moscow); L.I. Bondareva (Oil and Gas Research Institute of the RAS, RF, Moscow); K.I. Dantsova (Gubkin University, RF, Moscow)

One of the promising tasks of hydrogen energy is the creation of large-scale hydrogen storage systems. In this regard, the advantages of underground storage of hydrogen, both extracted from the subsoil and artificially produced, are obvious. However, the geological justification for choosing the most optimal sites from among the numerous depleted hydrocarbon deposits requires further justification in relation to various geological and tectonic conditions. Based on the results of the work a system of geological criteria for selecting optimal hydrogen storage facilities was proposed, a scientific and methodological approach was developed, which includes geoinformation analysis and multi-criteria ranking of facilities based on risk analysis, 37 fields within the Volga-Ural oil and gas province were analyzed according to the main criteria, and a risk matrix was compiled to analyze and evaluate depleted hydrocarbon deposits for underground hydrogen storage, the most promising facility for hydrogen storage was selected and the proposals for placing an experimental scientific and technological landfill for hydrogen storage on it was substantiated. Expanding the range of diagnostic criteria characterizing the geological and infrastructural positions of sites could yield even more reliable information.

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