Natural Hydrogen Systems: Properties, Occurrences, Generation Mechanisms, Exploration, Storage and Transportation

This publication addresses the growing field of Natural Hydrogen Systems, co-edited by Reza Rezaee and Brian Evans. With a surge in research interest in natural hydrogen and helium, this volume responds to the demand for a comprehensive exploration of hydrogen’s natural occurrences, properties, and applications.

Covering an array of crucial facets, the book begins with an overview by the editors, setting the stage for an in-depth journey. Chapters unfold to elucidate hydrogen’s physical and chemical properties, formation mechanisms, global occurrences, and detection techniques. Experimental investigations, insights from field studies, and a focus on hydrogen as an energy source further enrich the narrative. Environmental impacts, industrial applications, and technological developments are meticulously examined, providing a holistic understanding. The volume concludes with case studies, offering real-world applications and reinforcing theoretical concepts.

This book stands as a vital resource for specialists seeking to deepen their knowledge of Natural Hydrogen Systems. With contributions from esteemed researchers, it not only captures the field’s current state but also charts a course for future exploration. Its relevance to the target audience lies in its ability to serve as a definitive reference, fostering advancements and innovations in this rapidly evolving domain.

Reza Rezaee has a PhD in Reservoir Characterization. His research has been mostly on integrated solutions for reservoir characterization, formation evaluation, and petrophysics. He has also worked on the application of artificial intelligence for many years. Currently, he is focused on unconventional gas and natural hydrogen studies.

He has over 28 years of experience in academia being responsible for both teaching and research. During his career, he has been engaged in several research projects supported by major national and international companies and these commissions, together with his supervisory work at various universities, have involved a wide range of achievements. During his research career, he has led several major research projects funded by various oil and gas companies such as WAPET, WMC, MESA, Santos, NIOC, PEDEC, DMP, Buru, Woodside, Carnarvon, Norwest, Devon Energy, SWU/SKL, and, ANLEC.

He has received a total of more than ＄2.5M in funds through his collaborative research projects. He has supervised over 80 M.Sc. and PhD students during his university career to date. He has published more than 310 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and is the author of 6 books on petroleum geology, logging and log interpretation, and gas shale reservoirs.

As a founder of the ＂Unconventional Gas Research Group＂ of Australia, he has established a unique and highly sophisticated research lab at Curtin University. This lab was established to research petrophysical evaluation of tight gas sands and shale gas formations.

He is the Editor-in-Chief of Improved Oil and Gas Recovery journal, Associate Editor of Marine and Petroleum Geology, and Associate Editor of Geofluids.

He was announced as the top Australian researcher in the field of Petroleum Engineering by The Australian Research 2023 magazine.

Brian Evans has a PhD in Geophysics. His research has been on 3D seismic imaging of subsurface structure, reservoir imaging and mapping, coal seam imaging, CO2 sequestration, fluid sensing, 3D modelling, and fluid dynamics including heart stress monitoring. Currently, he is focused on automation of robotic fish and also natural hydrogen studies.

His initial career as a graduate automation control engineer led him into oil and gas exploration as a mud logger and later petroleum geophysicist in which he operated the only AustraliaAsian consultancy in offshore geophysical opertions, with mainly US, Asian and Australian oil company clients. He spent 34 years in academia being responsible for both teaching and research as Head of Department of Exploration Geophysics, and then Head of Department of Petroleum Engineering at Curtin University. He completed his career as the Curtin Director for Oil & Gas Initiatives, developing research projects in the oil and gas sector for resaerchers at Curtin.

Over his career, he was engaged in several Australian Federally funded international research projects supported by major national and international companies, which resulted in establishing the Curtin Reseervoir Geophysics Consortium of companies. He also led many scientific consultancy study teams for State and Federal Agencies. He received over ＄29 M in funds through these collaborative research projects.

He supervised numerous M.Sc.projects and graduated 21 PhD students during his university career. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and is the author of two reference books, one on exploration seismic methods and the other on technology and data analytics made simple.

He has used his knowledge in fluid dynamics and material stress in a recent project which works towards establishing a smart-stent for monitoring heart dynamics developed by excessively stressed heart valves. His latest interest in natural hydrogen brings his expertise in using conventional geophysics to the search for hydrogen. He was awarded Curtin University’s highest honour of John Curtin Emertius Professor when he retired in 2019. However, he continues on as Chair of the Curtin Emeritus Professor’s Forum and continues to support the Australian Research Council and Federal Department of Education as an independent reserach proposal assessor.