Departaments and Divisions

Research and Development Activities

The research and development activities of the Laboratory focus on the following areas:

1. Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS). Specifically: assessing the potential of deep saline aquifers and salt caverns for hydrogen storage; ranking geological structures for UHS; modeling injection and cyclic withdrawal processes; investigating the impact of H₂ on reservoir rocks and overlying caprock; the role of cushion gas and initial storage-filling processes; and caprock integrity as a guarantee of safety.
2. Geological CO₂ Storage (CCS). Specifically: identifying and characterizing structures within deep saline aquifers for CCS; dynamic modeling of CO₂ injection processes; and the geochemical interaction between the stored gas and the surrounding rocks.
3. Integrated Underground Space Management. Specifically: analyzing conflicts of interest when the same geological complexes are used for different purposes (e.g., competition for structures between CH₄, CO₂, and H₂ storage facilities); optimizing the use of underground space while accounting for national energy security priorities; and assessing the environmental impact of CCS and UHS projects on the subsurface environment.
4. Safety, Legal Aspects, and Public Acceptance of UHS and CCS. Specifically: identifying legislative and regulatory barriers within the EU that hinder the development of hydrogen and carbon dioxide storage; and applying a “read-across” approach—leveraging existing knowledge from Underground Gas Storage (UGS) and CCS—to the field of UHS.

Members of the Geotechnology Division team are authors of several dozen articles and scientific publications in renowned international and national journals, including monographs in Polish and English.

In the indicated scientific and research field, the Division cooperates with national and foreign universities and scientific and research institutions (AGH University of Science and Technology, Lublin University of Technology, Silesian University of Technology, Polish Geological Institute, BRGM, Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland and others).

The Division team participated in several EU projects regarding underground CO₂ and H₂ storage (CO₂SINK, EU GeoCapacity, CO₂StoP, CO₂ReMoVe, Hystories) and several national projects (financed by the National Science Center and the Ministry of the Environment).

The team has carried out scientific studies and expert opinions for the major energy and raw material companies in Poland, including:

• Vattenfall Poland (Modelling of CO₂ injection into the Dzierżanowo structure; analysis of the geological structure of Bielsko-Bodzanów in terms of the storage capacity of CO₂ generated in heat and power plants belonging to Vattenfall Poland SA; geological characteristics of the Żyrów-Czachówek structure and determination of reservoir parameters in the Bodzanów GN-2, Bodzanów GN-3 and Bielsk-2 boreholes in terms of CO₂ storage; preliminary analysis of potential geological structures for CO₂ storage from the Puławy region; characteristics of the potential for CO₂ storage structures in the Kwidzyń area),
• PBG Geophysical Exploration Ltd (Selection of structures in saline aquifers for geological storage of CO₂ in Poland; determining the location and the estimated storage capacity),
• KGHM Polska Miedź (Analysis of CO₂ sequestration methods and alternative methods of obtaining assigned amount units under KGHM conditions; in-depth analysis of capture, transport, and injection of selected gas streams containing CO₂),
• Polska Grupa Energetyczna (Assessment of geological and deposit conditions and risks related to the involvement of the PGE SA in a shale gas exploration project in an area covered by concessions),
• Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières–BRGM (Expertise related to the inventory of suitable and/or potential underground storage sites for CO₂ in the neighborhood of the major Arcelor Mittal plants in Poland).

We have competencies and knowledge in terms of assessing the potential of underground carbon and hydrogen storage. Thanks to constantly developing competencies, we offer the following scientific and research and development services:

• Evaluation and selection of geological structures for underground CO₂ and H₂ storage in Poland (geospatial data analysis),
• Assessment of the potential for underground CO₂ and H₂ storage in deep oil, gas, and aquifer structures, and salt caverns (in bedded salt deposits, and salt domes),
• Evaluation of the CO₂ and H₂ impact on the reservoir and sealing rocks in a reservoir and quasi-reservoir conditions,
• Monitoring of underground storage of CO₂, (leakages detection),
• Modeling of CO₂ and H₂ injection to selected geological structures,
• Environmental impact assessment of underground CO₂ and H₂