Subsurface Evaluation for Underground Hydrogen Storage

BGES specializes in subsurface evaluation for Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS), ensuring the safe and efficient containment of hydrogen in salt caverns and porous formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Hydrogen’s unique physical and chemical properties pose challenges, including diffusion, reactivity, and potential leakage risks, making geocontainment assessment a critical step in evaluating site suitability.

Our services cover the full UHS project lifecycle, including geotechnical lab testing, where we assess geomechanical and hydrological attributes such as permeability, rock strength, and capillary breakthrough potential. Field in-situ testing, such as Diagnostic Fracture Injection Tests (DFITs) and Step-Rate Tests (SRTs), provides valuable data on in-situ stresses, ensuring formations can safely withstand repeated injection and withdrawal cycles. Cased-hole logging and sonar surveys assess cavern and well integrity, helping to detect structural weaknesses and ensure long-term storage security.

BGES also leads in mechanical integrity testing, employing advanced, patented technologies for precise detection of cavern interfaces while minimizing environmental risks. Reservoir and geomechanical modeling further predict hydrogen behavior, helping operators anticipate long-term changes in in-situ stresses and optimize storage performance.

As a research partner for Natural Resources Canada’s Caprock Integrity study for UHS, BGES is at the forefront of hydrogen storage research. Our integrated approach, combining field expertise, cutting-edge laboratory testing, and advanced modeling, ensures cost-effective, adaptable solutions tailored to international markets. With hydrogen poised to play a crucial role in the global energy transition, BGES is committed to delivering safe, scalable, and reliable UHS evaluations.