Chao Li, Shuvajit Bhattacharya, Muhammad M. Alhotan, Mojdeh Delshad

Rock physics modeling and time-lapse geophysical modeling are effective methods to better understand the influence of hydrogen on rock properties and visualize hydrogen plume distribution and its migration direction. We study rock physics responses of hydrogen in a wedge model and a small field test scenario under different injection conditions. In doing so, we develop and test an integrated workflow that uses geologic data and dynamic flow simulation of H2 plume migration to simulate corresponding time-lapse geophysical responses, namely, surface (prestack and poststack), cross-hole seismic, and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) responses. Results from this study will help design effective time-lapse monitoring surveys, in terms of parameter including optimal rate/amount of H2 injection, survey geometry, sensor locations. We investigate the influence of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), injection location, lithology, permeability, and residual gas saturation on hydrogen monitoring. The choice of rock physics models has a profound impact on the resultant simulations that one can use to effectively design the monitoring surveys.