Alireza Salmachi

Dr Alireza Salmachi

Senior Lecturer

School of Chemical Engineering

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


I am a senior lecturer in the School of Chemical Engineering. My current research foci include the integrated surface facility modelling and underground storage of hydrogen in geological formations, wellbore decommissioning and integrity, and CO2 storage in depleted coal seam gas reservoirs. I have strong background in drilling engineering, well completion, and reservoir engineering.

  • Underground Storage of Hydrogen

This works is focused on development of a simulation toolbox to model underground hydrogen storage (UHS) integrated with surface facility design. This work helps in understanding the techno-economic constraints involved in operating a large-scale UHS facility that needs to manage fluctuations in both supply and demand.

  • Wellbore decommissioning

This work is focused on repurposing near-to-decommission wellbores for storing hydrogen within the wellbore. This work aims to reduce the storage cost by managing decommissioning expenses for creation of a new hydrogen-based energy storage system and integrate green hydrogen into local economies.

  • CO2 sequestration in underground coal seams

This research involves evaluating cleat/natural fracture system with Australian coal seams using micro-CT scan imaging and studying the impact of coal swelling on permeability change during CO2 injection. 

  • 3D modelling and printing of porous media

This research is focused on designing random porous media using fractal systems and 3D printing.

  • Production data and rate transient analysis

This work is focused on analysis of gas and water production data from unconventional resources including coal seam gas and shale gas reservoirs to obtain critical reservoir properties.

Hydrogen Supply within HILT Regional Hubs – H2 Cost and Synergistic Opportunities

 An integrated techno-economic and underground storage simulation tool for intermittent hydrogen production coupled with a gas storage site

Wellbore decommissioning for hydrogen pipe storage (Vallourec, 2022-2023)

Santos Research Grant (Production data analysis of coalbed methane reservoirs in Bowen Basin)-(2015-2016)

Santos Research Grant-IMER (Production forecasting for deep coals of Cooper basin)-(2016-2017)

Stephen Cole Elder Fellowship (Teaching Grant) (Application of iBook and 3D printing in Drilling engineering)-(2015)

Fundamentals of Drilling Engineering

Fundamentals of Well Completion and Stimulation

Introduction to Petroleum Engineering

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Principal Supervisor Mineral carbonation of mine tailings for carbon sequestration and potential utilization Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mohammad Rezaee
    2024 Co-Supervisor Techno-Economic analysis of hydrogen production via solar-wind assisted electrolysis to use in public transport. Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Hassan Khalili
    2023 Principal Supervisor Integrated Surface Facilities and Fluid Flow Modelling for Underground Hydrogen Storage Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mostafa Montazeri
    2023 Co-Supervisor Hydrogen flow through faults and fractures and its implications for geo-hydrogen generation and storage Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Sirous Hosseinzadeh
    2022 Co-Supervisor Mechanics of Underground Hydrogen Storage System Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Chee Min Leong
    2022 Co-Supervisor Investigation of Casing-Cement Interface in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Wells with Different Casing Materials Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Kanagaswarran Citalingam Mudliar
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Analysis of South Australian Onshore Oil & Gas Well Decommissioning and Potential Impact on Regulatory Compliance, Environmental and Corporate Risk Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Panayiotis Kokkoni
    2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Stress Distribution around Coal Seam Gas Wells, Application to Coal Failure Onset Prediction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Mohammadreza Zare Reisabadi
    2015 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Controls on Gas Production from Permian Ultra-deep Coal Seams of the Cooper Basin: Expanding Reservoir Boundary Theory Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Erik Christopher Dunlop
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2016 - ongoing Member APOGCE SPE Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2002 - ongoing Member SPE Australia
  • Position: Senior Lecturer
  • Phone: 83133502
  • Email: alireza.salmachi@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83134345
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Santos Petroleum Engineering, floor 2
  • Org Unit: Mining and Petroleum Engineering

Connect With Me
External Profiles

Other Links