Gaseous Pipeline Transport and its underground porous media Storage for NET ZERO Innovation

These projects are open to students worldwide, but have no funding attached. Therefore, the successful applicant will be expected to fund tuition fees at the relevant level (home or international) and any applicable additional research costs. Please consider this before applying. 

Net Zero technology research is a new theme of developing novel innovations with the advent of hydrogen and decarbonisation projects across all the sectors. Pipeline transportation of natural gas is very well established in the UKCS and for the household supply. With the increasing call for usage of hydrogen for mitigating the energy demand while minimising the carbon emissions, its pipeline transport is being investigated for the repurposing option of the existing pipeline network, be it for domestic home supply or interconnected network of pipelines connecting the near abandonment matured hydrocarbon UKCS fields. On the other hand, more than 21 CO2 storage licenses has been awarded by UK government to operating companies for the underground storage of CO2 in the depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and aquifers. This huge system of the interconnected pipeline network and these subsurface formations could be utilised for the subsurface storage of hydrogen, CO2 and natural gases.

This project aims investigate number of aspects of

1.      the pipeline transport of hydrogen, CO2, Natural gas blends (with hydrogen) through the experimental and numerical simulation means focussing on optimization of the blends, pipeline flow assurance aspects with respect to H2 – pipeline material interactions (H2 embrittlement), CO2 hydrates, dynamic flow conditions over the pipelines, risk assessment etc.

2.      Underground storage of gases in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and aquifers

Hydrogen and CO2 storage: Experimental and reservoir modelling evaluations for fluid-fluid and rock-fluid geochemical and geo-mechanical evaluations, hydrodynamic effects, well and wellbore integrity issues; optimization of hydrogen storage and withdrawals. In addition, storage development project evaluations for both the hydrogen and carbon dioxide will be investigated.

3.      Plug and abandonment of CO2 storage wells, monitoring and risk assessments. 

Essential Background:

Decisions will be based on academic merit. The successful applicant should have, or expect to obtain, a UK Honours Degree at 2.1 (or equivalent) in petroleum, chemical/oil and gas/energy/mechanical/computational engineering. 

The student must have a strong appetite for applied research with a boarder insight into and/or willingness to adapt practical petroleum engineering concepts covering geology/ geosciences, thermodynamic and kinetic behaviour of gases in porous media and reservoir engineering/ simulation fundamentals, corrosion, materials characteristics, mechanical engineering aspects. Knowledge/Experience of Reservoir simulation and the respective simulation tools with the programming languages and code development will be advantageous.

Application Procedure:

Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php

You should apply for Engineering (PhD) to ensure your application is passed to the correct team for processing.

Please clearly note the name of the lead supervisor and project title on the application form. If you do not include these details, it may not be considered for the studentship.

Your application must include: A personal statement, an up-to-date copy of your academic CV, and clear copies of your educational certificates and transcripts.

Please note: you DO NOT need to provide a research proposal with this application.

If you require any additional assistance in submitting your application or have any queries about the application process, please don't hesitate to contact us at [Email Address Removed]