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Title: Cement-cap rock integrity during underground hydrogen storage

Type: MSc Thesis

Supervisor: Dr. Chaojie Cheng (AGW)  

Co-supervisor: Sebastian Bruckschlögl (IMB)

Links: www.samuh2.de

Field of study: Geochemistry, petrophysics, structural geology, or applied geoscience related fields

Description of work:

Hydrogen can be converted by electrolysis using renewable power. Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) offers a promising solution for large-scale renewable energy storage, helping to balance the fluctuations between power supply and demand. However, challenges are remaining to ensure the safety and integrity of UHS systems, particularly in environments where hydrogen, a universal electron donor, interacts with geological materials (Fig. 1). Hydrogen can react with minerals such as pyrite, sulphates, and carbonates under certain P&T conditions, potentially altering their composition and affecting wellbore integrity. Additionally, more frequent injection and withdrawal of hydrogen, ranging from daily to seasonal cycles, subject well cement and cap rock to cyclic loading and unloading, increasing the risk of gas leakage and structural degradation. Understanding these chemical and mechanical effects, especially at the critical interfaces between well cement and cap rock, is essential to ensuring the reliability of UHS systems.

We are seeking for a motivated MSc student to conduct laboratory experiments that simulate underground hydrogen storage conditions. These experiments will expose materials to hydrogen atmospheres for a couple of weeks, allowing to assess their performance and behaviour under realistic scenarios. This research will play a vital role in advancing the safe and efficient implementation of UHS. If you are passionate about energy storage, materials science, and geomechanics, and are eager to contribute to cutting-edge research, we encourage you to apply!

Figure 1. Hydrogen underground storage concept and problems (modified based on Cheng et al. 2024).

Your Tasks:

• Prepare hybrid samples containing caprock and well cement.
• Conduct hydrogen batch experiments under simulated reservoir pressure and temperature (P&T) conditions using our newly established hydrogen reactors.
• Perform petrophysical measurements, mechanical testing, and petrographic analyses at AGW and IMB to assess potential interface changes and evaluate the possible decline in well integrity.
• Write your MSc thesis in English, with the possibility of contributing to a joint publication between AGW and IMB.  

Personal qualifications:

The student should have strong enthusiastic about experimental research and eager to gain hands-on laboratory experience. Some knowledge on petrophysical properties and fluid-rock interactions would be an advantage, but it is not a prerequisite. To complete the ambitious project within the limited time requires hard work, self-motivation, collaborative attitude and the willingness to cooperate effectively with colleagues.

Contract duration: 6 months                       Entry date: on appointment

Technical contact:

Dr. Chaojie Cheng

KIT - Institute of Applied Geosciences, Structural Geology

B50.41, R003

Adenauerring 20a 76131 Karlsruhe

Tel: +49 721 608-43076

Email: chaojie.cheng∂kit.edu

Course details

The language below according to language of instruction either German (Bachelor courses) or English (Master courses).

Applied Structural Geology, 1. Sem. MSc

• Objective: Apply basic structural geology tools and predict the geometry of deformed rocks in the subsurface.

1. Stress, exercise
2. Strain, exercise
3. Fracture mechanics, exercise
4. Joints and veins, exercise
5. Exercises
6. Normal faults, exercise
7. Thrust faults, exercise
8. Strike-slip faults, exercise
9. Inversion, exercise
10. Diapirs & Intrusions, exercise
11. Folds, exercise
12. Folds & cleavage, exercise
13. Microstructures, exercise
14. Structural analysis, exercise

• course material: own lecture notes, uploaded slides on ILIAS, exercises
• backup reading: Price and Cosgrove, 2001, Analysis of Geological Structures

Depositional Systems, 1. Sem. MSc

• Objective: Link sedimentary structures and variation in litho-logs with depositional settings. Predict rocks away from your outcrop and well data.

1. Origin and description of sediments, exercise
2. Eolian systems, exercise
3. Fluvial systems, exercise
4. Estuaries and incised valleys, exercise
5. Deltas, exercise
6. Evaporites, exercise
7. Clastic shelves, exercise
8. Reefs and platforms, exercise
9. Turbidites and fans, exercise
10. Sea level change, exercise
11. Sequence stratigraphy, exercise
12. Sediment supply and controls, exercise
13. Case study I exercise
14. Case study II exercise

• course material: own lecture notes, uploaded slides on ILIAS, exercises
• backup reading: Henry W Posamentier & Roger G Walker 2006. Facies models revisited. SPEM (also newer version available, excellent images), Reading, H.G. 2012. Sedimentary environments: Process, facies and stratigraphy. 3rd edn (b&w, good explanations

Diagenesis, 3. Sem. MSc

• Objective: Hands-on microscopy course to establish the diagenetic alterations from thin sections.

1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Source rocks and seals
4. Petrography texture
5. Detrital composition
6. Diagenesis
7. Compaction
8. Authigenic components blocky cements
9. Authigenic components clay minerals
10. Dissolution and porosity
11. Paragenetic sequence
12. General petrography models
13. Mineral specific diagenesis models
14. Rock typing

• course material: own lecture notes, uploaded slides on ILIAS, exercises
• backup reading: paper given during the lecture

Erdgeschichte, 2. Sem. BSc

• Ziel: Erdgeschichte kennen und Plattentektonik, Paläogeographie, Lithosäulen assoziieren und Leitfossilien erkennen

1. Einleitung
2. Präkambrium
3. Kambrium
4. Ordoviz
5. Silur
6. Devon
7. Karbon
8. Perm
9. Trias
10. Jura
11. Kreide
12. Tertiär
13. Quartär

• Kursmaterial: eigene Mitschrift, auf ILIAS hochgeladenes Lehrmaterial, Übungen
• Literatur: Walter, Roland. Erdgeschichte, Schweizerbart

Geländemethoden, 2. Sem. BSc.

• Ziel: Identifiziere Gesteine, Schichtung, Klüftung, Lineare im Gelände; Anfertigung von sedimentären Logs; Nutzung des geologischen Kompasses und Darstellung von Messwerten im Schmidtschen Netz. Studierende arbeiten in Kleingruppen mit enger Betreuung.
• Objective: identify rocks in the field, prepare sedimentary logs, identify bedding and joints, learn to use the geological compass and plot data in a stereonet. Students work in small groups to ensure close supervision.

1. Tag Montag: Einführung - Lehrveranstaltung
2. Tag Dienstag: Analyse von Lockersedimenten Gruppe A; Sedimentgesteine, Logging und Kompassmessungen Guppe B Teil I
3. Tag Mittwoch: Sedimentgesteine, Logging und Kompassmessungen Guppe B Teil II
4. Tag Donnerstag: Analyse von Lockersedimenten Gruppe B; Sedimentgesteine, Logging und Kompassmessungen Guppe A Teil I
5. Tag Freitag: Sedimentgesteine, Logging und Kompassmessungen Guppe A Teil II

• Ausarbeitung des Feldbuchs und Anfertigung eines Berichts

Regionale Geologie, 4. Sem. BSc.

• Ziel: Regionale Geologie von Mitteleuropa kennen und Plattentektonik, Paläogeographie, Ablagerungsräume und Lithosäulen assoziieren und Leitfossilien erkennen.

1. Einleitung
2. Präkambrium
3. Kambrium
4. Ordoviz-Silur
5. Feiertag
6. Devon
7. Pfingsten / Exkursionswoche
8. Feiertag
9. Karbon
10. Perm
11. Trias
12. Jura
13. Kreide
14. Tertiär-Quartär

• Kursmaterial: eigene Mitschrift, auf ILIAS hochgeladenes Lehrmaterial, Übungen
• Literatur: Walter, Roland. Erdgeschichte, Schweizerbart

Geologische Karten und Profile, 2. Sem. BSc

• Ziel: Topographische und geologische Karten mit einfachen Strukturen können gelesen und die geologische Geschichte eines Gebietes abgeleitet werden. Geologische Profile aus geologischen Karten können konstruiert werden.

1. Horizontale – geneigte Lagerung von Schichten
2. Streichlinienkonstruktion
3. Dreipunktmethode
4. Schnittlinienkonstruktion
5. Falten
6. Diskordanzen
7. Störungen
8. Profile aus Karten ohne Höhenlinien
9. Kreisbogen- und Grenzstrahlmethode
10. Interpretation von geologischen Karten

• Kursmaterial: eigene Mitschrift, auf Ilias hochgeladenes Lehrmaterial, Übungen
• Literatur: Bennison, G.M., Olver P.A. & Moseley K.A., 2013: An Introduction to Geological Structures and Maps, Eighth Edition, Routledge.  Powell, D., 1995: Interpretation geologischer Strukturen durch Karten. Springer, Stuttgart, 216S.

Kartierübung, 2.-3. Sem. BSc

• Ziel: Erlernen des selbstständigen Kartierens in Kleingruppen von 2-3 Personen, die Kleingruppen werden tagsüber von Dozenten betreut, Diskussion der Ergebnisse und des Kartenblatts in Abendbesprechungen. Studierende arbeiten in Kleingruppen mit enger Betreuung.

1. Tag: gemeinsame Einführung in das Arbeitsgebiet
2. Tag: Kartieren in Kleingruppen
3. Tag: Kartieren in Kleingruppen
4. Tag: Kartieren in Kleingruppen
5. Tag: Kartieren in Kleingruppen
6. Tag: Kartieren in Kleingruppen
7. Tag: Abschlussexkursion

• Anfertigung eines Kartierberichts

Strukturgeologie und Tektonik, 3. Sem. BSc

• Ziel: Kennenlernen und Anwendung mechanischer Grundlagen der Gesteinsfestigkeit, gefügeanalytischer Projektionsmethoden und geometrischer Konstruktionen im Schmidt Netz. Deformationsverhalten von Gesteinen kann im Kristall- bis Lithosphärenmaßstab durch Beispiele erläutert werden.

1. Verformung (Flinn Diagramm)
2. Kraft und Spannung (Mohr‘scher Spannungskreis, Mohr-Coulomb Kriterium)
3. Bruchhafte Verformung und Paläospannungsanalyse
4. Materialverhalten
5. Deformationsmechanismen und Mikrostrukturen
6. Spannungs- und Verformungsindikatoren
7. Schersinnindikatoren
8. Falten und Faltenmechanismen
9. Falten und Rotation im Schmidtnetz
10. Foliation – Lineation
11. Tektonische Strukturen

• Kursmaterial: eigene Mitschrift, auf Ilias hochgeladenes Lehrmaterial, Übungen
• Literatur: Fossen, H. (2011) Structural Geology. Cambridge University Press, 463 S. (s. e-learning Module unter: http://folk.uib.no/nglhe/StructuralGeoBook.html)

Proseminar, 4. Sem. BSc

• Ziel: Diese überfachliche Qualifikation dient dazu sich eigenständig in ein vorgegebenes wissenschaftliches Thema einzuarbeiten und in einem 20-minütigen Vortrag zu präsentieren. Eine Fachdiskussion rundet die Präsentation ab.
• Die Themen können aus einer Liste ausgewählt werden.
• Die Literatur wird zum Teil vorgegeben oder kann eigenständig recherchiert werden.
• Eine Einführung in die Literaturrecherche wird zu Beginn der Veranstaltung angeboten.

Reservoir-Analogs and Core Description, 3. Sem. MSc

• Objective: Analyze, describe and log cores and interpret depositional systems and structural elements. Work and communicate in a professional environment.

1. day - Core logging
2. day - Core logging
3. day - Data transfer in EasyCore
4. day - Data transfer in EasyCore
5. day - Report

• course material: own notes during the seminar
• submission of data file and report

We thankfully acknowledge the donation of EasyCore licenses for educational purposes by EasyCopy.

Reservoir-Geology, 2. Sem. MSc

• Objective: Understand and predict heterogenities of sedimentary rocks in the subsurface. Identify structures on seismics and improve your understanding for fluid flow in the earth

1. Reservoirs and Geology: Storage, Sequestration, Geothermal, Exploration
2. Methods: Petrography, fluid inclusion and isotopes
3. Basins and Depositional Settings: Effect on reservoir properties
4. Structure and Fluids: Effects on reservoir properties
5. Sandstone Petrology: Detrital components
6. Sandstone Diagenesis: Authigenic components
7. Integrated Paragenesis Eo-, Meso-, Telodiagenesis
8. Recap

• course material: own lecture notes, uploaded slides on ILIAS, exercises
• backup reading: Knut Bjorlykke 2015 and others
• pyramid exam

Field-Seminar Reservoir-Geology SW-England, 2. Sem. MSc

• Objective: Apply concepts and methods in the field for MSc students, training to identify and interpret rocks and structures along world-class coastal exposures Bristol Channel and Channel well known by the international industry; deduce depositional settings and structural evolution; work is in small groups.

1. day - Sunday: evening recap and training, intro to rock description, compass measurements, and geological maps of the region
2. day - Monday: fractured carbonate reservoirs: fractures, faults, mud volcanoes, carbonate rocks, location: Kilve
3. day - Tuesday: red bed deposits: interpretation of the depositional setting and structures, location: Watchet
4. day - Wednesday: Siliciclastic and carbonate deposits along the Channel, Budleigh Salterton, Orcombe Point and Lyme Regis
5. day - Thursday: Claystone and carbonates, Kimmeridge and Lulworth
6. day - Friday: location: West Bay, Osmington Mills

• course material: handout uploaded on ILIAS, own notes during the seminar
• submission of field book

Microtectonics, 2./3. Sem. MSc (Module: Structural Geology)

• Objective: The description and interpretation of small-scale structures in deformed rocks helps us to understand the tectonic evolution of an area. In this course we learn to “read” microstructures under the microscope and what they can tell us about deformation.

1. Fabric elements
2. Foliation development
3. Deformation mechanisms
4. Polyphase deformation
5. Porphyroblast growth – deformation relationship
6. Shear zone fabrics and shear sense indicators

Our thin section collection contains samples from the Caledonides, Variscides, Crete and the Pyrenees.

• Course material: uploaded slides on Ilias and own notes on exercises
• Backup reading: Passchier, C.W., Trouw, R.A.J. (2005): Microtectonics, 366 S., Springer.
• Presentation of an example: microstructures in a tectonic context

Field Seminar Structural geology, 2./3. Sem. MSc (Module: Structural Geology)

• Objective: This 5 day fieldtrip focuses on spectacular structural geology in the Spanish Pyrenees. We spend the first 3 days in the Central Pyrenees and learn to describe and interpret large scale structures in the foreland fold and thrust belt. The second part of this trip is designed to read polyphase deformation and shear zone fabrics in space and time at Cap de Creus.

1. Day – Internal Sierras north of Jaca
2. Day – Jaca-Pamplona Basin at Sabinanigo
3. Day – External Sierras (Riglos, N of Huesca)
4. Day – Axial Zone with Variscan deformation (Roses granodiorite)
5. Day – Polyphase deformation in prograde metamorphic rocks (transect from Roses to lighthouse at Cadaques)

• Course material: references uploaded on Ilias, own notes taken during seminar
• Submission of field book and presentation of a topic from the field

Field-Seminar Scotland, 4. Sem. BSc

• Objective: Apply concepts and methods in the field for advanced BSc students; work in world-class exposures in small groups

1. day - Monday: Geology around Glen Coe
2. day - Tuesday:  Geology on Kerrera Island
3. day - Wednesday: Geology along Loch Linnhe and Loch Leven, Glenfinnan
4. day - Thursday: Mapping of Marmore Ridge
5. day - Friday: Mapping of Marmore Ridge
6. day - Saturday: Summary and Recap

• course material: handout uploaded on ILIAS, own notes taken during the seminar
• optional: Ardnamurchan peninsula
• submission of field book

Field-Seminar Upper Rhine Graben, 4. Sem. BSc

The Upper Rhine graben is an active rift basin currently under strike-slip motion. Soft-sediments in the center and Mesozoic rocks on the rift flanks provide raw material for constructions and buildings, and host groundwater, geothermal heat, formation waters rich in rare earth elements and oil.

• Objective: Get to know your rocks at home. Apply concepts and methods in the field for advanced BSc students, program tbc

1. day - Tuesday: Loess, fractured carbonates, evaporites and river channels (Muschelkalk, Schilfsandstein)
2. day - Wednesday: fluvial red beds and alluvial fans (Ettlingen, Bad Herrenalb, or Neckar)
3. day - Thursday: Oil seepage and rock alteration along faults
4. day - Friday: tbc

• course material: handout uploaded on ILIAS, own notes taken during the seminar
• optional: course tbx
• submission of field book