Assessing the role of hydrogen on well cement integrity for underground storage in salt cavern

U. C. Iyare; C. W. Neil; E. J. Guiltinan; M. M. Mills; R. J. Adams; M. Rock; J. Lee; L. M. Anovitz; A. G. Stack; D. N. Espinoza

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.155502

Assessing the role of hydrogen on well cement integrity for underground storage in salt cavern

U. C. Iyare
, C. W. Neil
, E. J. Guiltinan
, M. M. Mills
, R. J. Adams
, M. Rock
, J. Lee
, L. M. Anovitz
, A. G. Stack
, D. N. Espinoza

Geochemistry & Interfacial Science

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Hydrogen (H₂) exposure may alter cement properties and compromise wellbore integrity in underground hydrogen storage (UHS), yet the behaviour of cement systems designed for salt cavern environments remains poorly constrained. This study provides a systematic evaluation of H₂-brine interactions in three cementitious materials: Salado micro-concrete (SMC), salt concrete (SAC), and Sorel cement (SC). Batch experiments were conducted at 50 °C and 10.34 MPa for 30 days under H₂ and argon (Ar) atmospheres, to compare reactive and inert conditions. Changes in porosity, mineralogy, microstructure, fluid chemistry, and elastic properties were evaluated to assess cement integrity. Results show that H₂ exhibits limited intrinsic reactivity, with observed alterations dominated by brine-cement disequilibria. Porosity evolution is strongly composition-dependent: SMC and SAC show modest reductions, whereas SC exhibits significant increases (from ∼1.7 to 1.9% to ∼8–10%) under both gases. Mechanical stiffness decreases across all systems, but comparable reductions under Ar indicate fluid-driven weakening. Overall, under the conditions investigated, H₂ plays a secondary role relative to brine-controlled processes, while cement composition governs performance.

Original language	English
Article number	155502
Journal	International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume	241
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.155502
State	Published - Jun 10 2026

Funding

This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy ( DOE ), under Award No. DE-FE0032349 Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns in the Permian Basin: Seal Integrity Evaluation and Field Test. The experimental design, execution, and primary data analysis were carried out at Los Alamos National Laboratory ( LANL ) under this award. Portions of the data interpretation and manuscript preparation were completed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory ( ORNL ) following the author’s transition, with continued support from the U.S. Department of Energy , Office of Science , Chemical Sciences, Geosciences , & Biosciences Division program, under award No. DE-AC0500OR22725. The authors also thank colleagues in the Materials Science and Technology Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory for access to advanced high-resolution scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Notice: This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan (http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan).This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), under Award No. DE-FE0032349 Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns in the Permian Basin: Seal Integrity Evaluation and Field Test. The experimental design, execution, and primary data analysis were carried out at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) under this award. Portions of the data interpretation and manuscript preparation were completed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) following the author’s transition, with continued support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, & Biosciences Division program, under award No. DE-AC0500OR22725. The authors also thank colleagues in the Materials Science and Technology Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory for access to advanced high-resolution scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Notice: This manuscript has been authored by UT-Battelle, LLC, under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725 with the US Department of Energy (DOE). The US government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the US government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for US government purposes. DOE will provide public access to these results of federally sponsored research in accordance with the DOE Public Access Plan ( http://energy.gov/downloads/doe-public-access-plan ).

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10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.155502

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@article{8582841a25764a458742a34a62db1ead,

title = "Assessing the role of hydrogen on well cement integrity for underground storage in salt cavern",

abstract = "Hydrogen (H2) exposure may alter cement properties and compromise wellbore integrity in underground hydrogen storage (UHS), yet the behaviour of cement systems designed for salt cavern environments remains poorly constrained. This study provides a systematic evaluation of H2-brine interactions in three cementitious materials: Salado micro-concrete (SMC), salt concrete (SAC), and Sorel cement (SC). Batch experiments were conducted at 50 °C and 10.34 MPa for 30 days under H2 and argon (Ar) atmospheres, to compare reactive and inert conditions. Changes in porosity, mineralogy, microstructure, fluid chemistry, and elastic properties were evaluated to assess cement integrity. Results show that H2 exhibits limited intrinsic reactivity, with observed alterations dominated by brine-cement disequilibria. Porosity evolution is strongly composition-dependent: SMC and SAC show modest reductions, whereas SC exhibits significant increases (from ∼1.7 to 1.9\% to ∼8–10\%) under both gases. Mechanical stiffness decreases across all systems, but comparable reductions under Ar indicate fluid-driven weakening. Overall, under the conditions investigated, H2 plays a secondary role relative to brine-controlled processes, while cement composition governs performance.",

author = "Iyare, \{U. C.\} and Neil, \{C. W.\} and Guiltinan, \{E. J.\} and Mills, \{M. M.\} and Adams, \{R. J.\} and M. Rock and J. Lee and Anovitz, \{L. M.\} and Stack, \{A. G.\} and Espinoza, \{D. N.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC.",

year = "2026",

month = jun,

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doi = "10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.155502",

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AU - Iyare, U. C.

AU - Neil, C. W.

AU - Guiltinan, E. J.

AU - Mills, M. M.

AU - Adams, R. J.

AU - Rock, M.

AU - Lee, J.

AU - Anovitz, L. M.

AU - Stack, A. G.

AU - Espinoza, D. N.

PY - 2026/6/10

Y1 - 2026/6/10

N2 - Hydrogen (H2) exposure may alter cement properties and compromise wellbore integrity in underground hydrogen storage (UHS), yet the behaviour of cement systems designed for salt cavern environments remains poorly constrained. This study provides a systematic evaluation of H2-brine interactions in three cementitious materials: Salado micro-concrete (SMC), salt concrete (SAC), and Sorel cement (SC). Batch experiments were conducted at 50 °C and 10.34 MPa for 30 days under H2 and argon (Ar) atmospheres, to compare reactive and inert conditions. Changes in porosity, mineralogy, microstructure, fluid chemistry, and elastic properties were evaluated to assess cement integrity. Results show that H2 exhibits limited intrinsic reactivity, with observed alterations dominated by brine-cement disequilibria. Porosity evolution is strongly composition-dependent: SMC and SAC show modest reductions, whereas SC exhibits significant increases (from ∼1.7 to 1.9% to ∼8–10%) under both gases. Mechanical stiffness decreases across all systems, but comparable reductions under Ar indicate fluid-driven weakening. Overall, under the conditions investigated, H2 plays a secondary role relative to brine-controlled processes, while cement composition governs performance.

AB - Hydrogen (H2) exposure may alter cement properties and compromise wellbore integrity in underground hydrogen storage (UHS), yet the behaviour of cement systems designed for salt cavern environments remains poorly constrained. This study provides a systematic evaluation of H2-brine interactions in three cementitious materials: Salado micro-concrete (SMC), salt concrete (SAC), and Sorel cement (SC). Batch experiments were conducted at 50 °C and 10.34 MPa for 30 days under H2 and argon (Ar) atmospheres, to compare reactive and inert conditions. Changes in porosity, mineralogy, microstructure, fluid chemistry, and elastic properties were evaluated to assess cement integrity. Results show that H2 exhibits limited intrinsic reactivity, with observed alterations dominated by brine-cement disequilibria. Porosity evolution is strongly composition-dependent: SMC and SAC show modest reductions, whereas SC exhibits significant increases (from ∼1.7 to 1.9% to ∼8–10%) under both gases. Mechanical stiffness decreases across all systems, but comparable reductions under Ar indicate fluid-driven weakening. Overall, under the conditions investigated, H2 plays a secondary role relative to brine-controlled processes, while cement composition governs performance.

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DO - 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.155502

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JO - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

JF - International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

M1 - 155502

ER -

Assessing the role of hydrogen on well cement integrity for underground storage in salt cavern

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