Transforming Subsurface Science for a Sustainable Future

Bridging chemical and petroleum engineering, Rasoul Mokhtari explores how carbon and hydrogen behave underground—pushing the boundaries of experimental research in offshore energy storage.

Thursday 24 April 2025

Mathias Laybourn

As a Tenure Track Researcher at DTU Offshore, Rasoul Mokhtari is bridging the gap between fundamental science and real-world energy solutions. With a background in petroleum and chemical engineering, Rasoul has transitioned his expertise toward more sustainable applications—specifically in underground carbon and hydrogen storage.

Rasoul’s early career focused on efficient oil reservoir characterization and production, but over time, he felt increasingly drawn to environmental research. “I used to feel conflicted,” he explains. “I’ve always cared deeply about the natural world, so I’m proud to now be working on solutions that aim to protect it.” His current work directly supports the green transition by addressing two of the most pressing challenges in subsurface energy: carbon capture and storage (CCS) and underground hydrogen storage (UHS).

Derisking Storage in Reactive Reservoirs

Much of Rasoul’s research centers on the flow behavior of CO2 and hydrogen in porous geological formations. In the presence of CO2 and hydrogen geochemical reactions happen to various extents, making it essential to understand how injected fluids might change the storage site’s structural and chemical integrity over time.

By conducting controlled laboratory experiments using real reservoir materials and both pure and impure forms of CO2 and hydrogen, Rasoul investigates flow dynamics and the resulting geochemical reactions and the geomechanical responses. His goal is to de-risk and enhance future storage operations by improving our ability to predict and monitor changes underground.

While Rasoul’s work is deeply technical, its implications go far beyond CO2 and hydrogen. “Porous media exist everywhere - in geology, in biology, even in our bones,” he notes. “The knowledge we generate here could one day be applied in medicine and drug delivery, environmental engineering, or materials science.”

He is also keenly aware of the need for broader recognition and support for this type of research. “We have capabilities and lab infrastructure at DTU Offshore that are globally competitive,” he says. “But we need greater visibility to attract the partnerships and funding that will keep us at the forefront.”

A Vision for the Future

As global momentum builds around CCS and UHS, Rasoul sees this moment as pivotal. “There are still many unknowns,” he says, “but that’s exactly why this work is so important. We’re not just trying to answer questions - we’re also generating the questions that will drive the next decade of innovation.”

With his passion for science, commitment to sustainability, and dedication to cross-disciplinary exploration, Rasoul Mokhtari exemplifies the spirit of transformation at the heart of DTU Offshore’s mission.

Factbox

Rasoul Mokhtari

Nationality: Iranian
Current Position: Tenure Track Researcher

Education:

  • BSc and MSc in Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum University of Technology, Iran (2006-2012)
  • PhD in Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Iran (2012-2018)

LinkedIn

Contact

Rasoul Mokhtari

Rasoul Mokhtari Tenure Track Researcher Danish Offshore Technology Centre Mobile: +45 81901526