The Promise Of Natural Hydrogen

The Dual Nature of Subsurface Hydrogen

Subsurface hydrogen stands at a crossroads.

It embodies one of the most promising natural resources for a decarbonised energy future as a primary, low carbon energy source generated by the Earth itself, yet the same processes that make it valuable can render it hazardous: uncontrolled hydrogen or associated methane leaks in mining environments pose real risks of explosions.
Whether regarded as an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition or as a safety challenge to manage, understanding subsurface hydrogen is imperative as its origin lie in complex geological reactions, its pathway are dynamic, and its accumulations elusive, making predition and control difficult.

Deciphering this duality (resource and risk) is the challenge we have chosen to address.

The promise

1% of hydrogen

If we manage to convert 1% of worldwide estimated ressource of hydrogen in reserve...

100+ years

We could have enough energy
to meet global demand for more than 100 years.

5600 gigatons

of Natural Hydrogen present worldwide
( = resource )

56 gigatons

of exploitable Natural Hydrogen
( = reserve )

100 Mt/y

of global energy demand

Its Complexity

the technical definition

Natural hydrogen, also called white hydrogen, is molecular hydrogen (H2) that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust, generated by a variety of geological and geochemical processes without human intervention. It exists both as a gas phase within subsurface porous rocks or dissolved in groundwater, often mixed with gases such as methane, nitrogen and helium.

The following processes lead to hydrogen generation, migration through the subsurface, and accumulation in suitable traps or porous formations, often mixed with other gases. Understanding this interplay between sources, migration pathways, and reservoirs is essential for locating economically viable natural hydrogen.

THe FORMATION OF HYDROGEN

Method 1

water-rock reaction

Water-rock reactions are a common process taking place in the subsurface. One of the most well-known process is the serpentinization in which ultramafic rocks, rich in iron, chemically react with water. This reaction transforms the original minerals like olivine into new ones like serpentine and magnetite and, importantly, generates molecular hydrogen (H2) as a byproduct.

This process often occurs at tectonic boundaries or ancient oceanic crust, making it a key source of natural hydrogen in the subsurface

Method 2

Radiolysis

Radiolysis is a natural process of water molecules breakage into hydrogen and oxygen atoms induced by radiation of radioactive elements trapped in minerals.

This slow but continuous reaction occurs deep underground, producing molecular hydrogen that can accumulate in geological formations rich in radioactive elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium.

Method 3

Deep flux

Despite all the knowledge acquired across the years, the origin of H2 in some places remains unclear. The idea of a deep flux then appeared. One of the sources of this deep flux could be mantle degassing which would be a natural process whereby hydrogen gas is released from the Earth's mantle, the deep layer below the crust. This hydrogen originates from primordial sources trapped during Earth’s formation and from chemical reactions involving water and minerals under high pressure and temperature.
As fluids migrate upward through faults and fractures, this mantle-derived hydrogen can reach shallower geological formations and accumulate as natural hydrogen reservoirs.

Method 4

Organic matter breakdown

Organic matter breakdown is a natural geological process where organic materials, such as plant or microbial remains, decompose under heat and pressure over millions of years, generating molecular hydrogen as a byproduct.

This hydrogen forms in sedimentary basins where organic-rich rocks mature, contributing to naturally occurring subsurface hydrogen accumulations.

direct methods

Satellite Imaging

Detects hydrogen presence using satellite data analysis.

Remote Sensing