Ukraine: Hydrogen Storage in Salt Structures

Ukraine: Hydrogen Storage in Salt Structures

Iaroslav Kryl

Ukraine‘s gas transportation system is one of the largest in Europe, with the capability to transport natural gas through two main routes: to Western Europe and the Balkan region.

These transit gas pipelines are supported by two groups of underground gas storage facilities, which are created in depleted oil and gas fields and aquifers.

The western group (Bilche-Volytske, Ugerske, Dashavske, Oparske, and Bohorodchanske storages) is located near Ukraine’s border and manages gas transit based on seasonal demand.

In the current global context, where energy security is becoming increasingly important, underground storage is emerging as one of the most effective methods.

Special attention is given to the use of salt formations for these purposes. Underground gas and hydrogen storage in salt caverns demonstrate not only economic benefits but also technical and environmental advantages.

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There are over 550 underground gas storage facilities (UGS) globally, categorized by structural type:

• 425 in depleted oil and gas fields
• 83 in aquifer structures

There are 45 underground gas storage facilities constructed and operating in rock salt, with a total active gas volume exceeding 24 billion cubic meters.

Factors such as cost-effectiveness, technology, environmental friendliness, and technical safety (including seismic stability), as well as the ability to create large storage parks, make salt formations preferable, leading to an increase in UGS in rock salt compared to porous structures.

Salt formations (mainly composed of rock salt) have significant positive properties: absence of fractures and fissures, rapid recovery, impermeability to water and fluids (environmental isolation), favorable thermal conductivity parameters of salt rocks, and the ability to create capacities of any shape within the salt deposits.

The advantages of salt caverns for hydrogen storage include exceptional tightness due to their natural self-sealing capability and lack of pores.

Rock salt’s high plasticity and self-sealing properties allow it to naturally close and self-seal, minimizing gas leakage risks, which is especially critical for hydrogen due to its small molecular size and the need for highly reliable containment to prevent leaks.

Salt rocks are resistant to geological changes and environmental fluctuations, have low permeability, and are minimally prone to fracturing, ensuring storage stability even under high gas pressure. These stable parameters help avoid risks associated with physical changes in the gas state.

Salt caverns can be designed and placed according to specific hydrogen storage requirements, including various sizes and configurations, optimizing them for particular technical needs.

The advantages of salt formations, such as tightness, resistance to geological changes, and the ability to create capacities of any shape, make them ideal for hydrogen storage. This is particularly important for Ukraine, which has ambitious plans for developing hydrogen energy and integrating into European energy networks.

Based on these technical and environmental advantages, three promising areas for the creation of underground hydrogen storage facilities have been identified:

1. Stebnyk Field

The Stebnyk potash salt field, located in the Drohobych district of the Lviv region, is the most promising site for experimental work on hydrogen storage in Ukraine. The field has been operated since 1922 and has prepared mining workings.

Hydrogen storage potential:

• The volume of dry mining workings is about 15 million cubic meters in mine No. 1.
• Controlled access to shafts and absorbing wells allows for the installation of necessary infrastructure.
• Mine No. 1 is in a state of dry conservation, enabling the creation of hydrogen storage infrastructure without significant capital expenditures.
• Zakarpattia

Zakarpattia is a key territory for the future Central European Hydrogen Corridor, ensuring the transit of hydrogen from Ukraine to Germany via Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Future hydrogen transport routes passing through Zakarpattia intersect salt territories or are located nearby.

The Zaluzhsk, Svalyava, and Irshava areas are promising for hydrogen storage construction. The depths of salt deposits allow for the creation of reservoirs with pressures up to 17 MPa, with a single volume of 300-400 thousand cubic meters, allowing for maximum hydrogen storage in each of them.

• Southern part of Odesa Region

In the southern part of the Odesa region, Hydrogen Ukraine LLC (https://h2u.ua) is implementing one of the first hydrogen projects in Ukraine, which has received funding for the development of a comprehensive feasibility study for the construction of a hydrogen production plant.

To ensure reliable hydrogen transit (with spot supply capability) along the southern (Turkish-Balkan) route, the construction of underground gas storage facilities at the Izmail rock salt deposit – Predobruzhsky Trough is proposed. The salt-bearing area is located between the lakes Kytay and Kotlabukh, with a thickness of up to 450 meters.

The depth of the lithocomplex roof varies from 320 to 430 meters, established over an area of more than 300 square kilometers. The salt lithocomplex deposits are promising for further studies to determine the working intervals within which hydrogen storage facilities can be created to enhance storage reliability and transit in the Balkan direction.

Steps for Conducting Research

1. Data Collection and Analysis:
2. Analyze archival and literature materials regarding the geological and hydrological structure of the area.
3. Conduct geostructural studies to determine the structural-tectonic position of the work area.
4. Field Studies:
5. Perform geophysical and geochemical studies to assess the degree of current geodynamic activity and the permeability of tectonic faults.
6. Collect and analyze gas and soil samples.
7. Drilling and Laboratory Work:
8. Conduct exploratory drilling to investigate impermeable zones of the area.
9. Conduct laboratory analysis of collected samples to assess geological conditions.
10. Safety Assessment and Forecasting:
11. Assess the safety of hydrogen storage considering hazardous geological phenomena.
12. Forecast fluid-impermeable and geodynamically passive areas for hydrogen storage creation.
13. Final Reporting:
14. Process and interpret research results.
15. Prepare and submit a final report with recommendations for the construction of underground hydrogen storage facilities.

These steps will ensure the reliability and safety of hydrogen storage in Ukraine’s underground facilities, promoting the development of hydrogen energy and integration into European energy networks.

The development of underground hydrogen storage in salt structures is crucial for Ukraine’s ambitious plans to advance hydrogen energy and integrate into European energy networks.

The identification of three promising areas – the Stebnyk Field, Zakarpattia, and Southern Odesa Region – highlights the potential for creating efficient and safe hydrogen storage facilities. Each of these regions offers unique geological and logistical advantages, aligning with the technical requirements for hydrogen storage.

To ensure the successful implementation of these projects, a comprehensive research plan is essential. This includes data collection and analysis, field studies, drilling and laboratory work, safety assessments, and final reporting.These steps will provide a thorough understanding of the geological conditions and ensure the safety and reliability of the storage facilities.

By leveraging the inherent benefits of salt formations, Ukraine can establish a robust infrastructure for hydrogen storage, contributing to the country’s energy security and its integration into the broader European energy market.

The innovative projects outlined in this document pave the way for a sustainable and resilient hydrogen economy, positioning Ukraine as a key player in the global energy transition.

Iaroslav Kryl ; CEO of HYDROGEN UKRAINE, LLC, PhD; Email: kryl@hydrogen.ua

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