Williston Basin Resource Study for Commercial-Scale Subsurface Hydrogen Storage
This closeout presentation summarizes a Department of Energy–funded study that evaluated whether large amounts of hydrogen can be safely stored underground in the North Dakota portion of the Williston Basin. The project combined lab testing, computer simulations, and basin‑wide analysis to assess saline formations, depleted oil and gas reservoirs, and salt formations for hydrogen storage capacity, recovery, and risks. Results show that underground hydrogen storage is technically feasible across multiple formation types, with depleted oil and gas reservoirs offering higher recovery and saline formations providing large long‑term storage potential. The study also identifies key challenges—such as wellbore material durability and gas purity management—and recommends pilot projects and further site‑specific studies to support future commercialization.