Mapping of salt resources for underground storage for hydrogen
R&D Focus Areas:
Underground storage
Lead Organisation:
Geoscience Australia
Partners:
The University of Queensland, Intrepid Geophysics, CSIRO
Status:
Active
Start date:
August 2021
Completion date:
Estimated March 2024
Key contacts:
Lead Investigator Dr Andrew Feitz – andrew.feitz@ga.gov.au
Funding:
The project is funded under the Exploring for the Future program.
Project total cost:
Not applicable
Project summary description:
Geoscience Australia is exploring suitable underground salt accumulations for underground hydrogen storage, both for domestic use and export. The project aims to support the implementation of the National Hydrogen Strategy through understanding underground hydrogen storage resources in key locations across Australia.
Geoscience Australia will be mapping the nationwide distribution of thick salt accumulations in salt-bearing sedimentary sequences, including Carribuddy Group salt in the Canning Basin, Boree salt in the Adavale Basin, Kilroo Formation in the Polda Basin and Browne Formation in the Officer Basin. In addition, new remote sensing salt prospecting techniques will be developed and tested.
This project will result in a new dataset of salt accumulations potentially suitable for underground hydrogen storage in salt caverns. The salt accumulations may also be suitable for compressed air storage.
These products will assist governments and investors with future hydrogen strategies and infrastructure planning.
Related publications and key links:
Bradshaw, M., Rees, S., Wang, L., Szczepaniak, M., Cook, W., Voegeli, S., Boreham, C., Wainman, C., Wong, S., Southby, C. and Feitz, A., 2023. Australian salt basins–options for underground hydrogen storage. The APPEA Journal, 63(1), pp.285-304. https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22153
Paterson, R., Feitz, A., Wang, L., Rees, S., Keetley, J. 2022. A preliminary 3D model of the Boree Salt in the Adavale Basin, Queensland. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/146935
Connors, K.A., Wong, S., Vilhena, J.F.M., Rees, S., Feitz, A. 2022. Canning Basin AusAEM interpretation: hydrogen storage potential and multilayered mapping. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/146376
Feitz, A., Wang, L., Rees, S., Carr, L. 2022. Feasibility of underground hydrogen storage in a salt cavern in the offshore Polda Basin. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/146501
Wang, L., Rees, S., Carr, L.K., Feitz, A.J. 2023. Feasibility of underground hydrogen storage with salt caverns in the offshore Polda Basin, South Australia. RECORD: 2023/005. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/146489
Paterson, R. 2022. Adavale Basin 3D Geological Model. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://doi.org/10.26186/146942
Wang, L. 2023. Adavale Basin 3D Geological Model – Petrel Dataset. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/147256
Dunne, J., Wang, L., Poudjom Djomani, Y. and Feitz, A. 2023. Integrated geophysical modelling for salt mapping in the Polda Basin, South Australia. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/148625
Rees, S., Wang, L., Dewhurst, D. and Feitz, A. 2023. Feasibility of underground hydrogen storage in a salt cavern in the Adavale Basin. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/147914
Rees, S., Bradshaw, M., Wainman, C., Wang, L., Sczepaniak, M., Wong, S. and Feitz, A. 2023. Underground hydrogen storage potential in Australian salt basins. Australian Hydrogen Research Conference, Canberra, 8-10 February 2023.
Higher degree studies supported:
Not applicable
Reviewed: August 2023