Alireza Salmachi

Research Interests

Carbon Sequestration Science Petroleum and Coal Geology Petroleum and Reservoir Engineering

Dr Alireza Salmachi

Senior Lecturer

School of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information 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.

Date Institution name Country Title
2010 - 2013 University of Adelaide Australia PhD
2007 - 2009 Curtin University Australia master of science
2002 - 2006 Petroleum University of Technology Iran bachelor

Year Citation
2025 Leong, C. M., Ghayesh, M. H., Nathan, G. J., Salmachi, A., & Rajabi, M. (2025). A review of the mechanics of lined engineered cavities and their implications on hydrogen storage. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 102, 749-766.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3
2025 Hosseinzadeh, S., Saberi, M. R., Haghighi, M., Salmachi, A., & Salimzadeh, S. (2025). Seismic inversion approaches for reservoir characterization: A comprehensive review. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 243, 22 pages.
DOI
2024 Salmachi, A., Seyfaee, A., Robert, R. J., Hosseini, T., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., . . . Simon, C. (2024). Underground hydrogen storage: Integrated surface facilities and fluid flow modelling for depleted gas reservoirs. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 50(D), 1055-1069.
DOI Scopus34 WoS33
2024 Raza, A., Alafnan, S., Glatz, G., Mahmoud, M., & Salmachi, A. (2024). Geo-storage of hydrogen in organic-rich shales: Multicomponent selectivity of organic nanopores. Fuel, 359, 130476.
DOI Scopus17 WoS18
2024 Al-Yaseri, A., Fatah, A., Al-Abdrabalnabi, R., Alafnan, S., & Salmachi, A. (2024). Investigation of gas residuals in sandstone formations via X-ray core-flooding experiments: Implication for subsurface hydrogen storage. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 78, 268-278.
DOI Scopus17 WoS18
2024 Hosseinzadeh, S., Haghighi, M., Salmachi, A., & Shokrollahi, A. (2024). Carbon dioxide storage within coal reservoirs: A comprehensive review. Geoenergy Science and Engineering, 241, 213198-1-213198-18.
DOI Scopus24 WoS23
2024 Salmachi, A., Zeinijahromi, A., Parker, H. M., Abdulhussein, A., Badalyan, A., Kwong, P., . . . Rajabi, M. (2024). Experimental investigation of alterations in coal fracture network induced by thermal treatment: Implications for CO2 geo-sequestration. Energy, 308, 132893-1-132893-10.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6
2023 Salmachi, A., Zeinijahromi, A., Algarni, M. S., Abahussain, N. A., Alqahtani, S. A., Badalyan, A., . . . Rajabi, M. (2023). Experimental study of the impact of CO₂ injection on the pore structure of coal: A case study from the Bowen Basin, Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 275, 104314-1-104314-12.
DOI Scopus23 WoS23
2022 Salmachi, A., Hosseini, T., Shaikh, R. A., Dinovitser, A., & Abbott, D. (2022). Techno-economic assessment of hydrogen pipe storage in decommissioned wellbores sourced from surplus renewable electricity. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 47(56), 23710-23720.
DOI Scopus18 WoS14
2021 Salmachi, A., Rajabi, M., Wainman, C., Mackie, S., McCabe, P., Camac, B., & Clarkson, C. (2021). History, geology, in situ stress pattern, gas content and permeability of coal seam gas basins in Australia: a review. Energies, 14(9), 2651-1-2651-37.
DOI Scopus68 WoS57
2021 Zhu, S., & Salmachi, A. (2021). Flowing material balance and rate‐transient analysis of horizontal wells in under‐saturated coal seam gas reservoirs: A case study from the qinshui basin, China. Energies, 14(16), 24 pages.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4
2020 Dunlop, E. C., Salmachi, A., & McCabe, P. J. (2020). Investigation of increasing hydraulic fracture conductivity within producing ultra-deep coal seams using time-lapse rate transient analysis: A long-term pilot experiment in the Cooper Basin, Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 220, 11 pages.
DOI Scopus19 WoS18
2020 Zare Reisabadi, M., Haghighi, M., Salmachi, A., Sayyafzadeh, M., & Khaksar, A. (2020). Analytical modelling of coal failure in coal seam gas reservoirs in different stress regimes. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 128, 11 pages.
DOI Scopus26 WoS20
2019 Salmachi, A., Dunlop, E., Rajabi, M., Yarmohammadtooski, Z., & Begg, S. (2019). Investigation of permeability change in ultradeep coal seams using time-lapse pressure transient analysis: a pilot project in the Cooper Basin, Australia. AAPG Bulletin, 103(1), 91-107.
DOI Scopus28 WoS25
2018 Zhu, S., Salmachi, A., & Du, Z. (2018). Two phase rate-transient analysis of a hydraulically fractured coal seam gas well: A case study from the Ordos Basin, China. International Journal of Coal Geology, 195, 47-60.
DOI Scopus27 WoS21
2018 Zhu, S., Du, Z., Li, C., Salmachi, A., Peng, X., Wang, C., . . . Deng, P. (2018). A Semi-analytical model for pressure-dependent permeability of tight sandstone reservoirs. Transport in Porous Media, 122(2), 235-252.
DOI Scopus60 WoS46
2017 Clarkson, C., & Salmachi, A. (2017). Rate-transient analysis of an undersaturated CBM reservoir in Australia: Accounting for effective permeability changes above and below desorption pressure. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 40, 51-60.
DOI Scopus55 WoS50
2017 Yarmohammadtooski, Z., Salmachi, A., White, A., & Rajabi, M. (2017). Fluid flow characteristics of Bandanna Coal Formation: a case study from the Fairview Field, eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 64(3), 319-333.
DOI Scopus38 WoS32
2017 Salmachi, A., & Karacan, C. (2017). Cross-formational flow of water into coalbed methane reservoirs: controls on relative permeability curve shape and production profile. Environmental Earth Sciences, 76(5), 200-1-200-16.
DOI Scopus62 WoS56 Europe PMC1
2016 Salmachi, A., Rajabi, M., Reynolds, P., Yarmohammadtooski, Z., & Wainman, C. (2016). The effect of magmatic intrusions on coalbed methane reservoir characteristics: A case study from the Hoskissons coalbed, Gunnedah Basin, Australia. International Journal of Coal Geology, 165, 278-289.
DOI Scopus39 WoS34
2015 Salmachi, A., & Yarmohammadtooski, Z. (2015). Production data analysis of coalbed methane wells to estimate the time required to reach to peak of gas production. International Journal of Coal Geology, 141-142, 33-41.
DOI Scopus60 WoS53
2014 Salmachi, A., Bonyadi, M., Sayyafzadeh, M., & Haghighi, M. (2014). Identification of potential locations for well placement in developed coalbed methane reservoirs. International Journal of Coal Geology, 131, 250-262.
DOI Scopus21 WoS20
2013 Salmachi, A., Sayyafzadeh, M., & Haghighi, M. (2013). Infill well placement optimization in coal bed methane reservoirs using genetic algorithm. Fuel, 111, 248-258.
DOI Scopus69 WoS59
2012 Salmachi, A., & Haghighi, M. (2012). Feasibility study of thermally enhanced gas recovery of coal seam gas reservoirs using geothermal resources. Energy & Fuels, 26(8), 5048-5059.
DOI Scopus89 WoS76
2012 Salmachi, A., & Haghighi, M. (2012). Temperature effect on methane sorption and diffusion in coal: application for thermal recovery from coal seam gas reservoirs. APPEA Journal, 52, 291-300.

Year Citation
2023 Rajabi, M., Salmachi, A., & Tavoosiiraj, P. (2023). Effects of localised stress perturbations on natural fractures and permeability: An example from the Gunnedah Basin. In 2nd EAGE Workshop on Fluid Flow in Faults and Fracture - Modelling, Uncertainty and Risk (pp. 1-3). European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers.
DOI
2022 Clayton, L. M., Lee, M. H., & Salmachi, A. (2022). Alleviating Directional Well Trajectory Problems via Data Analytics. In Society of Petroleum Engineers - SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2022, APOG 2022 (pp. 21 pages). Adelaide, Australia: SPE.
DOI
2021 Kokkoni, P., & Salmachi, A. (2021). Analysis of South Australian Onshore Oil & Gas Well Decommissioning and Potential Impact on Regulatory Compliance, Environmental and Corporate Risk — Unified Risk Code. In SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition - Day 1 Tue, October 12, 2021 (pp. 1-22). virtual online: SPE.
DOI Scopus1
2018 Salmachi, A., Clarkson, C., Zhu, S., & Barkla, J. A. (2018). Relative permeability curve shapes in coalbed methane reservoirs. In Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2018 Apogce 2018. SPE.
DOI Scopus12
2016 Salmachi, A., Talemi, P., & Tooski, Z. (2016). Psyllium husk in water-based drilling fluids: An environmentally friendly viscosity and filtration agent. In Society of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2016 Vol. 2016-January. Abu Dhabi: SPE.
DOI Scopus16
2015 Salmachi, A., Wainman, C., Rajabi, M., & McCabe, P. (2015). Effect of volcanic intrusions and mineral matters on desorption characteristics of coals (Case Study). In Proceedings Asia Pacific Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition (pp. SPE-176841-MS-1-SPE-176841-MS-13). Brisbane, QLD: Society of Petroleum Engineers.
DOI Scopus1
2015 Salmachi, A., Darby, J., & Yarmohammadtooski, Z. (2015). Estimation of time of peak gas production in coalbed methane wells using production data analysis. In Proceedings Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition (pp. SPE-176218-MS-1-SPE-176218-MS-7). Bali, Indonesia: Society of Petroleum Engineers.
DOI Scopus1
2013 Salmachi, A., Sayyafzadeh, M., & Haghighi, M. (2013). Optimisation and economical evaluation of infill drilling in CSG reservoirs using a multi-objective genetic algorithm. In 2013 APPEA Conference and Exhibition Vol. 53 (pp. 381-389). Australia: Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association.
DOI
2012 Salmachi, A., Haghighi, M., Dixon, D., Hart, P., & Jachmann, A. (2012). Combined energy recovery from coal seam gas reservoirs and geothermal resources (simulation study). In Society of Petroleum Engineers - International Petroleum Technology Conference 2012, IPTC 2012 Vol. 3 (pp. 2077-2088). CDROM: SPE.
DOI Scopus2
2011 Salmachi, A., Haghighi, M., Bedrikovetski, P., & Xu, C. (2011). Thermal gas recovery from coal seam gas reservoirs using underground coal gasification. In Society of Petroleum Engineers - 73rd European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers Conference and Exhibition 2011 - Incorporating SPE EUROPEC 2011 Vol. 5 (pp. 3357-3368). Vienna: Society of Petroleum Engineers.
DOI Scopus3
2011 Salmachi, A., Haghighi, M., Dixon, D., Hart, P., & Jachmann, A. (2011). Combined energy recovery from coal seam gas reservoirs and geothermal resources (simulation study). In International Petroleum Technology Conference 2011, IPTC 2011.
2011 Salmachi, A., Haghighi, M., Dixon, D., Hart, P., & Jachmann, A. (2011). Combined energy recovery from coal seam gas reservoirs and geothermal resources (simulation study). In International Petroleum Technology Conference 2011 Iptc 2011. IPTC.
DOI
2009 Kabir, A. H., & Salmachi, A. (2009). An improved method for total mechanical skin calculation for perforated completions. In Society of Petroleum Engineers Europec Eage Conference and Exhibition 2009. SPE.
DOI Scopus2
2009 Kabir, A., & Salmachi, A. (2009). An improved method for total mechanical skin calculation for perforated completions. In Society of Petroleum Engineers - EUROPEC/EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2009.
Scopus2

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

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Co-Supervisor Techno-Economic Assessment and Optimization of Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia in the Australian National Energy Market. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Hassan Khalili
2025 Principal Supervisor Development and Optimisation of Mineral Carbonation Technology for Industrial Waste and Mine Tailings Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Marjan Joulaei
2024 Principal Supervisor Mineral carbonation of mine tailings for carbon sequestration and potential utilization Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mohammad Rezaee
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

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

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

Date Role Membership Country
2002 - ongoing Member SPE Australia

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