Investigations on Cement Thermal Properties with Direct Application to Underground Energy Storage
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ABSTRACTThe current energy storage wave that looks at low temperature and heat storage in shallow reservoirs as well as the intensification of Hydrogen storage (especially as by product to methane) have reopened the quest for accurate and precise well temperature prediction and modeling. This prediction plays a critical role in the determination of wellbore storage capabilities, well integrity and overall energy storage efficiency. This paper shows experimental results on measuring thermal properties of various cement properties as well as selected rock which are used as comparison. Our data will show that small amount of additive products in cement may dramatically change cement thermal properties that could become important for the overall well heat transfer and thus will enhance the energy storage efficiency.INTRODUCTIONWith the focus of the world going toward the net zero goal with respect to carbon emission, the storage of hydrogen in the subsurface will play an important role to achieve that target. It is reported by Tarowskia and Uliasz-Misiak, (2022) that due to the ease of hydrogen availability around the world and increasing global acceptance, hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil fuel by 2050. At the moment the main source of hydrogen storage at the surface consists of the cryogenic and high-pressure tank. However, with further expansion of hydrogen gas as a source of renewable energy the storage capacity has to be increased. In this respect, underground hydrogen storage (UHS) gives an alternate solution in which hydrogen is injected into a suitable geological formation such as a depleted oil and gas reservoir, aquafer, and salt cavern, and can be reproduced when needed (Sambo, et al., 2022). As the only connection to the UHS is the well so it is of utmost importance that the integrity of the well is maintained. Hence, well cement plays an important role in the well integrity as it provides zonal isolation, give support to the casing, and seals of the problem some subsurface formation (Rincon, et al., 2022). Like any other subsurface gas storage, well cement will be exposed to different temperature cycles due to the process of injection and reproduction that can lead to thermal loading and degradation of the cement matrix. Therefore, it is necessary to know the thermal properties of the cement placed in the UHS so that the integrity of the well can be assured.
