Geothermal energy and gas storage

In line with the green shift, we are transferring the expertise developed and cultivated for the oil and gas industry into other geoscience and geoenergy applications like geothermal energy and gas and energy storage

Geothermal energy

Through established partnerships with industry and researchers from the University of Geneva, we have dedicated several years to developing fit-for-purpose, open-source geothermal simulation technology, drawing from methods used in oil and gas reservoir simulation. Our research encompasses diverse systems, such as aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), high-temperature ATES (HT-ATES), and borehole thermal energy storage (BTES). Specifically, our focus has been on optimizing the design and management of intricate geothermal systems for both heat production and seasonal storage.

Moving forward, we will focus on developing digital twin technology that will benefit operators in three different ways

• Pre-construction: Build virtual prototypes to simulate and evaluate design and operational conditions, including well configuration.
• Post-construction: Establish a digital twin to understand ongoing operations and enhance performance, such as drilling additional wells.
• Access and training in innovative, flexible technology for constructing digital models that facilitate studying how various factors influence outcomes.

Underground hydrogen storage

Simulating underground hydrogen storage presents challenges due to intricate interactions between hydrogen and subsurface materials, dynamic physical processes, and the necessity for accurate modeling of thermodynamic and geomechanical behavior in geological formations. Our ongoing research involves the study of advanced thermodynamic models, utilizing them to compile phase equilibria PVT data for integration into standard black-oil simulators. Leveraging our open-source software, MRST, enables us to investigate the behavior of hydrogen stored in saline aquifers, exploring factors such as the impact of salt presence, hydrogen solubility, and the effects of cycling frequency, injection/withdrawal rates.