oa Hydrogen Migration Through a Fault Zone: an Experimental Observation

Aiming to improve our understanding of the H2 migration through a fault system and gain insights into the fault’s dynamics, we performed our first attempt to simulate at a laboratory scale the H2 injection in a water-saturated faulted reservoir under hydrostatic stress conditions and ambient temperature, using a lab-generated sheared sample and an NMR core flooding rig. Initial results show that the fault gouge does not act as an effective seal. Instead, it operates as a baffle slowing water and H2 movement and regulating the saturation and pressure through the sample. We also observed that the H2 front displaced water more efficiently from the upper compartment (above the fault zone).