Perspective
Open Access
Reinventing Oil Reservoirs: A Subsurface Pathway to Hydrogen and Cleaner Hydrocarbons
1
Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow 143026, Russia
2
College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
* Corresponding Author:
Aysylu Askarova,
[email protected]
Volume 1, Issue 1
2025
Received: 31 July 2025
Accepted: 11 August 2025
Published: 29 August 2025
Article Information
Published in
Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels
Volume/Issue
Volume 1, Issue 1, 2025
Pages
9-14
Abstract
This article explores the emerging concept of in situ hydrogen generation (ISHG) within oil reservoirs as a transformative pathway toward clean energy and hydrocarbon upgrading. With the global energy sector facing decarbonization pressures and limitations of conventional hydrogen production, ISHG offers a promising alternative by turning mature or depleted oil fields into subsurface reactors for hydrogen and upgraded oil co-production. Through thermochemical processes such as in situ combustion (ISC), steam methane reforming (SMR), coke gasification and water-gas shift reactions (WGSR), hydrogen is produced underground while carbon dioxide and by-products remain trapped, minimizing surface emissions. Drawing on recent experimental, modeling, and pilot studies, we discuss advances in reaction mechanisms, numerical simulation, and techno-economic assessments, highlighting both technical opportunities and outstanding challenges. The article provides a forward-looking perspective on how ISHG can repurpose legacy oil infrastructure for a cleaner energy future.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
in situ hydrogen generation
heavy oil
steam methane reforming
oil upgrading
Data Availability Statement
Not applicable.
Funding
This work was supported without any funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.
References
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Cite This Article
APA Style
Askarova, A., Cheremisin, A., Zhao, R., & Yuan, C. (2025). Reinventing Oil Reservoirs: A Subsurface Pathway to Hydrogen and Cleaner Hydrocarbons. Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels, 1(1), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.62762/JCERF.2025.908199
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TY - JOUR AU - Askarova, Aysylu AU - Cheremisin, Alexey AU - Zhao, Renbao AU - Yuan, Chengdong PY - 2025 DA - 2025/08/29 TI - Reinventing Oil Reservoirs: A Subsurface Pathway to Hydrogen and Cleaner Hydrocarbons JO - Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels T2 - Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels JF - Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels VL - 1 IS - 1 SP - 9 EP - 14 DO - 10.62762/JCERF.2025.908199 UR - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JCERF.2025.908199 KW - in situ hydrogen generation KW - heavy oil KW - steam methane reforming KW - oil upgrading AB - This article explores the emerging concept of in situ hydrogen generation (ISHG) within oil reservoirs as a transformative pathway toward clean energy and hydrocarbon upgrading. With the global energy sector facing decarbonization pressures and limitations of conventional hydrogen production, ISHG offers a promising alternative by turning mature or depleted oil fields into subsurface reactors for hydrogen and upgraded oil co-production. Through thermochemical processes such as in situ combustion (ISC), steam methane reforming (SMR), coke gasification and water-gas shift reactions (WGSR), hydrogen is produced underground while carbon dioxide and by-products remain trapped, minimizing surface emissions. Drawing on recent experimental, modeling, and pilot studies, we discuss advances in reaction mechanisms, numerical simulation, and techno-economic assessments, highlighting both technical opportunities and outstanding challenges. The article provides a forward-looking perspective on how ISHG can repurpose legacy oil infrastructure for a cleaner energy future. SN - 3070-1058 PB - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge LA - English ER -
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@article{Askarova2025Reinventin,
author = {Aysylu Askarova and Alexey Cheremisin and Renbao Zhao and Chengdong Yuan},
title = {Reinventing Oil Reservoirs: A Subsurface Pathway to Hydrogen and Cleaner Hydrocarbons},
journal = {Journal of Chemical Engineering and Renewable Fuels},
year = {2025},
volume = {1},
number = {1},
pages = {9-14},
doi = {10.62762/JCERF.2025.908199},
url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JCERF.2025.908199},
abstract = {This article explores the emerging concept of in situ hydrogen generation (ISHG) within oil reservoirs as a transformative pathway toward clean energy and hydrocarbon upgrading. With the global energy sector facing decarbonization pressures and limitations of conventional hydrogen production, ISHG offers a promising alternative by turning mature or depleted oil fields into subsurface reactors for hydrogen and upgraded oil co-production. Through thermochemical processes such as in situ combustion (ISC), steam methane reforming (SMR), coke gasification and water-gas shift reactions (WGSR), hydrogen is produced underground while carbon dioxide and by-products remain trapped, minimizing surface emissions. Drawing on recent experimental, modeling, and pilot studies, we discuss advances in reaction mechanisms, numerical simulation, and techno-economic assessments, highlighting both technical opportunities and outstanding challenges. The article provides a forward-looking perspective on how ISHG can repurpose legacy oil infrastructure for a cleaner energy future.},
keywords = {in situ hydrogen generation, heavy oil, steam methane reforming, oil upgrading},
issn = {3070-1058},
publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}
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