Subsurface Gas Storage

Our research integrates geoscience and engineering capability and expertise to address major challenges such as emission reduction through carbon capture and storage, and future fuels through underground hydrogen storage.

Our subsurface gas storage research provides capabilities that fundamentally address the foundational pillars of the energy transition: energy security (methane), emissions reduction (carbon dioxide) and future fuels (hydrogen).

Image of layers from subsurface

This research is centred around the:

  • assessment and characterisation of potential geological gas storage sites and systems through desktop, laboratory and numerical modelling studies
  • geochemical and geomechanical impact of subsurface gas storage
  • reservoir modelling and engineering of subsurface gas storage sites
  • seal capacity determination for subsurface gas storage sites
  • well and reservoir injectivity during subsurface gas storage.

Some of our current research activities focus on:

  • geochemistry of H2-water-rock interactions
  • laboratory-based and multivariate mathematical modelling studies for CO2 storage in saline aquifers
  • modelling and simulation of coupled wellbore-reservoir systems for underground hydrogen storage
  • multiscale modelling of geochemical and bio-reactive transport in sedimentary rocks for underground hydrogen storage
  • pore-scale flow visualisation and simulation of CO2 miscible injection for both CO2 storage and enhanced oil recovery.

Our research is of particular relevance to the energy sector, as it enables both the permanent storage of carbon dioxide, in order to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and the temporary and large-scale storage of renewable and Net Zero energy resources in the form of green and blue hydrogen.

Subsurface Gas Storage Research

Subsurface gas storage research

Read our vision for a whole system approach to the subsurface gas storage value chain.

We are providing research capabilities that support research across the three foundational pillars of (South) Australia’s Energy Future and Transition.

Find out more

  • Our research

    Our research work and findings so far have:

    • underpinned and demonstrated carbon capture and storage (CCS) through the Otway International Test Site (OTIS) in Victoria, Southeast Australia, one of the world’s best characterised demonstrations sites for CCS
    • contributed to the Australian-wide assessment of CO2 storage capacity and feasibility in this country
    • highlighted the enhanced CO2 storage potential of volcanic rocks present in some of Australia’s sedimentary basins
    • continues to contribute to the assessment and identification of potential subsurface/geological sites for energy storage in the form of green and blue hydrogen in Australia.

  • Consulting services

    To enquire about consulting or working with us on a research project, please contact Dr Ulrike Schacht.

  • Our researchers

    Many of our researchers are available to assist with research project supervision for Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy students.

    Research staff Expertise
    Dr Ulrike Schacht Workgroup Lead: Subsurface Gas Storage – Geochemistry of Gas-Fluid-Rock Interaction Processes, MICP Laboratory
    Dr Khalid Amrouch Structural Geology, Geomechanics, Brittle Deformation, 4D Stress Analysis
    Professor Pavel Bedrikovetski Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery, Match Lab-Match Modelling and Upscaling, Formation Damage
    Dr Sara Borazjani Flow in Porous Media, Mathematical Modelling, Gas Storage in Saline Aquifers
    Dr Mark Bunch Formation Evaluation, Seismic Interpretation, Reservoir Modelling
    A/Prof Manouncher Haghighi Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery, Reservoir Simulation, Data Analysis, Rock Properties Laboratory
    Professor Simon Holford Energy Geoscience, Structural Geology and Geomechanics, Volcanic Activity in Basins
    Emeritus Professor John Kaldi Seal Capacity, Carbonates
    Dr Alireza Salmachi Drilling  and Well Completion, Production Data Analysis, Rate Transient Analysis, Unconventional Resources
    Dr Mohammad Sayyafzadeh Mathematical Optimisation, Applied Machine Learning, Reservoir Simulation, Uncertainty Quantification
    Dr Abbas Zeinijahromi Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery, Reservoir Modelling, Advanced Core Flood Laboratory