Best estimate codes have been used in the past thirty years for the design, licensing, and safety of NPP. Nevertheless, large efforts are necessary for the qualification and the assessment of such codes. The aim of this work is to study the main phenomena involved in the emergency spray cooling injection in a Swedish-designed BWR. For this purpose, data from the Swedish separate effect test facility GÖTA have been simulated using TRACE version 5.0 Patch 2. Furthermore, uncertainty calculations have been performed with the propagation of input errors method, and the identification of the input parameters that mostly influence the peak cladding temperature has been performed.

In the global effort to reach near-term reductions in Green-House Gas (GHG) emissions, all Energy Companies have set an integrated strategy for a low-carbon future. The decarbonization target makes evident the need to also quantify the carbon footprint of well construction activities. The major direct emission source in Drilling and Completion (D&C) is represented by the fuel burnt by diesel generators at rig site to feed tools, machinery, and auxiliary systems. Therefore, data related to fuel consumption are fundamental to have a clear understanding of rig carbon footprint. In this framework, a dedicated GHG module was introduced within an existing real-time advanced analytic tool to unlock the possibility to track and map the CO2 equivalent emissions associated to the fuel consumption of Eni's rigs. This tool has been designed to collect and analyze the different data sources available at the rig site, typically sensor data, recorded at high frequency (1-5 sec), and reporting data, recorded at low frequency (1-2 hrs). The data are combined, with a specific algorithm, to automatically identify the activity ongoing and its related emissions. After that, data are gathered and consolidated to make them available in headquarters in near real-time. Furthermore, the tool was also applied to a case study by comparing its outcomes with the data directly provided by a rig contractor, showing a good level of reliability and consistency. The capability to monitor GHG emissions during D&C activities allows a better understanding of their related impact. It provides useful insights to implement corrective action and tackle them promptly. Finally, operation monitoring is directly linked with its related GHG emissions allowing new types of analysis and considerations. This integrated tool, able to recognize the most carbon-demanding activities, optimizes the process of targeting suitable solutions for GHG abatements during the well construction process. Having CO2 emissions reduction become crucial, this approach will certainly be the backbone of the transformation that Oil & Gas sector will have to undergo to reach its carbon neutrality commitments.

Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) is a method to store a large amount of energy to manage its seasonal fluctuations. The selection of proper well materials is a critical aspect, considering the small size of the molecule of H2 and its strong diffusivity. Its impact on materials shall be deeply evaluated and investigated. The work described in this document analyzes the interaction of standard cement slurries used in oil and gas fields with hydrogen at standard reservoir conditions. The cement-hydrogen interaction tests were designed and conducted using the methodological approach typical of the materials/fluids compatibility tests; an autoclave was used as key instrumentation to simulate reservoir temperature and pressure conditions. The samples were left inside the autoclave in contact with hydrogen, at reservoir temperature and pressure condition (90 °C and 150 bar), for 8 weeks. In parallel to the aging in hydrogen, twin samples were aged in an inert atmosphere (nitrogen) for comparison. The effects of the long exposure of the cement to H2 have been analyzed by observing the changes in the chemical-physical properties of the cement itself. To give evidence of the goodness of the cement as a well sealant material in the UHS, compressive strength, saturation and permeability, chemistry of the cement were measured/analyzed pre- and post-hydrogen exposure. In addition to the tests, a theoretical analysis performed using thermodynamic modeling software was also conducted to validate test results. The thermodynamic analysis was focused on the specific interaction of the species, hydrate and not-, constituting the cement and the hydrogen, investigating the spontaneity of the redox reactions that could take place. Preliminary autoclave experimentation results show that hydrogen does not alter overly chemical and physical characteristics of cement samples. This compatibility study of Hydrogen with cement is the first important step to further de-risk any UHS activity. The engineered and adopted testing protocol reported in this paper proved to be effective for the purpose of the study and could be applied for the validation of specific cement slurries in the UHS contexts.