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Reconstructing the thermal history of the Sedom Formation: A plausibility test for H2 storage in rock salt

Eyal I. (1,2), Issachar R. (2), Affek H. (1), Weinberger R. (2), Ryb U. (1)

(1) The Fredy and Nadine Herrmann Institute of Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

(2) Geological Survey of Israel, 32 Yesha'ayahu Leibowitz, Jerusalem 9692100, Israel

Hydrogen gas (H2) is a promising carbon-free energy source, but its large-scale deployment requires storage in large, impermeable reservoirs. A prime solution for H2 storage lies in man-made caverns within salt formations, which are impermeable and leak-proof. Under sufficient pressure, rock salt flows in solid-state and can self-heal fractures. However, high flow rates of rock salt might compromise potential reservoirs integrity. The Sedom Formation in the southern Dead Sea Basin is mainly composed of halite and may be suitable for H2 storage. Although largely buried, the formation crops out at Mt. Sedom, the surface expression of the Sedom diapir. Some previous studies hypothesized that the diapir is fed exclusively from a deep basin east of Mt. Sedom, where the Sedom Formation is buried at a depth of 3.7-4.6 km. In contrast, other studies suggested that the western Karbolet Member rises from the Ami’az Plain, where the Sedom Formation is buried at a depth of 1.7-2.6 km. If correct, the latter interpretation implies high flow rates beneath the Ami’az Plain, possibly rendering it unsuitable for H2 storage. Here we use carbonate clumped isotope thermometry to constrain peak burial temperatures within the diapir. We collected 15 rock samples from across Mt. Sedom diapir, drilled calcite and dolomite components and measured their oxygen (δ18 O) and carbon (δ13 C) isotopes and clumped isotopes (TΔ47) temperature values. TΔ47 values range from 27℃ - 101℃, reflecting recrystallization and possibly alteration by solid state reordering at different burial stages. TΔ47 values of the Karbolet Member reach temperatures of up to 101±12℃, corresponding to burial depths of at least 4±0.6 km. These results support a single eastern source for the diapir and suggest that the Sedom Formation beneath the Ami’az Plain does not flow at high rates, making it a suitable potential location for H2 storage.

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