Unearthing Fossil Fuels: A Potential Saviour for Our Planet

Two scientists were conducting research on fossil fuels in northeastern France with the aim of finding a solution to the climate crisis. Jacques Pironon and Phillipe De Donato, who hold high positions at France's National Centre of Scientific Research, utilized a unique probe capable of analyzing gases present in the water of deep underground rock formations. This groundbreaking technology surpassed their expectations and could potentially revolutionize efforts to combat climate change.

The probe discovered low concentrations of hydrogen a few hundred meters below. Pironon, speaking to CNN, mentioned that this was expected as small amounts are often found near the surface of a borehole. However, as the probe descended further, the concentration of hydrogen increased. At a depth of 1,100 meters, it reached 14%, and at 1,250 meters, it was 20%.

This revelation surprised Pironon as it suggested the presence of a significant hydrogen reservoir below. After conducting calculations, they estimated that the deposit could possibly contain between 6 million and 250 million metric tons of hydrogen.

According to Pironon, this discovery could potentially become one of the largest deposits of "white hydrogen" ever found. This significant finding has intensified the already intense fascination with the gas.

"White hydrogen," also known as "natural," "gold," or "geologic" hydrogen, is a type of hydrogen that occurs naturally or exists in the Earth's crust. It has gained a reputation as a coveted solution for addressing climate concerns.

On October 1, 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a statement at the White House in Washington, U.S., acknowledging the passage of the stopgap government funding bill by the U.S. House and Senate, effectively preventing a government shutdown. The event was captured by REUTERS/Bonnie Cash.

Bonnie Cash/Reuters

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When burned, hydrogen only produces water, which makes it an appealing option as a clean energy source for high-energy industries such as aviation, shipping, and steel-making. These industries require vast amounts of energy that are hard to fulfill solely through renewable sources like solar and wind.

However, despite being the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen typically exists in combination with other molecules. At present, commercial hydrogen production relies heavily on fossil fuels, using an energy-intensive process.

Different types of hydrogen are represented by a vibrant array of colors. "Gray" hydrogen is derived from methane gas, while "brown" hydrogen is sourced from coal. "Blue" hydrogen is essentially the same as gray, except that the greenhouse gas emissions generated during its production are captured before being released into the atmosphere.

However, the most environmentally-friendly option is "green" hydrogen, which involves utilizing renewable energy to split water molecules. Nevertheless, the production of green hydrogen is currently limited in scale and comes with a high price tag.

Thats why interest in white hydrogen, a potentially abundant, untapped source of clean-burning energy, has ratcheted up over the last few years.

We havent been looking in the right places

Geoffrey Ellis, a geochemist with the US Geological Survey, expressed his disbelief in the existence of natural hydrogen four years ago. According to him, hydrogen was known to exist, but scientists believed that large accumulations were unlikely. However, his perspective changed when he learned about Mali, a country in West Africa, which can be considered the catalyst for the current fascination with white hydrogen.

In 1987, a driller in the village of Bourakébougou suffered burns when a water well unexpectedly exploded while he was leaning over it, smoking a cigarette.

The well remained closed and abandoned until 2011, when an oil and gas company unplugged it. It was discovered that the well was producing a gas consisting of 98% hydrogen. This hydrogen has been harnessed to provide power for the village, and even after more than a decade, it continues to be a reliable source of energy.

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A study on the well in 2018 grabbed the interest of the scientific community, including Ellis. Initially, he doubted the research, believing there must be some flaw because "we are certain that this cannot occur."

However, when the pandemic struck, Ellis found himself with spare time to delve into the matter. As he delved deeper into the literature, he came to the realization that "we simply have not been actively searching for it, nor have we been searching in the appropriate locations."

Ellis, a petroleum geochemist since the 1980s, finds the recent discoveries highly exciting. Having experienced the transformative impact of the shale gas industry on the energy market in the US, he now believes that we may be on the brink of another groundbreaking revolution.

Isabelle Moretti, a scientific researcher specializing in white hydrogen at both the University of Pau et des Pays de l'Adour and the University of Sorbonne, also recognizes the immense potential of white hydrogen and shares Ellis' optimism.

"Now the question is no longer about the resource… but where to find large economic reserves," she told CNN.

A slew of startups

There is ongoing uncertainty surrounding the formation of natural deposits despite the numerous processes that generate white hydrogen.

Geologists primarily concentrate on two mechanisms: "serpentinization," which involves the reaction of water with iron-rich rocks to generate hydrogen, and "radiolysis," a process where water molecules undergo breakdown driven by radiation.

White hydrogen deposits have been found throughout the world, including in the US, eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, Oman, as well as France and Mali.

A chimney from the Linden Cogeneration Plant is seen in Linden New Jersey April 22, 2022.

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Insufficient. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that the demand for fossil fuels will reach its highest point in the near future but emphasizes the need for quicker action. Several discoveries have been made unintentionally, while others have been found through investigations into landscape phenomena like "fairy circles", which are shallow, elliptical depressions capable of releasing hydrogen gas.

According to Ellis, there is a potential global supply of tens of billions of tons of white hydrogen, far surpassing the current annual production of 100 million tons and the projected 500 million tons by 2050. He believes that the majority of this hydrogen exists in small accumulations, offshore locations, or inaccessible depths that are not economically viable for production. However, even if only 1% of this supply can be extracted, it would still yield 500 million tons of hydrogen, sustaining us for 200 years.

A promising opportunity awaits many startups.

Gold Hydrogen, an Australia-based company, is presently conducting drilling operations in South Australia's Yorke Peninsula. This location was selected after extensive research of the state's archives revealed that numerous boreholes with exceptionally high hydrogen concentrations were drilled there in the 1920s. Unfortunately, these boreholes were abandoned by prospectors solely focused on fossil fuels.

"We are extremely enthusiastic about our current progress," stated Neil McDonald, the managing director. Additional testing and drilling are required, but there is a potential for early production, potentially starting in late 2024, he informed CNN.

Certain startups are attracting significant investments. Koloma, a white hydrogen startup based in Denver, has successfully obtained $91 million from various investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a firm founded by Bill Gates. However, the company has chosen not to disclose the specific location of its drilling activities in the US or its timeline for commercialization.

Denver-based company Natural Hydrogen Energy, established by geochemist Viacheslav Zgonnik, successfully conducted an exploratory hydrogen borehole in Nebraska in 2019 and intends to create additional wells. According to Zgonnik, the first commercial projects in the field of natural hydrogen are imminent, offering a viable solution to accelerate climate action.

Aerial view of drilling operations by Natural Hydrogen Energy in Kansas.

Natural Hydrogen Energy LLC

From hype to reality

The businesses and scientists will face the task of turning theoretical potential into a tangible and profitable outcome. According to Ellis, there may be a lengthy phase of experimentation and unsuccessful attempts. However, it is crucial to prioritize efficiency. "If it takes us two centuries to harness the resource, it won't be significantly beneficial."

Despite the challenges, numerous startups are optimistic and anticipate achieving commercialization in a matter of years rather than decades. "With a few minor adjustments, we possess all the essential technology required," Zgonnik stated.

However, there are still obstacles to overcome. Some countries face regulatory barriers, and the costs associated with production need to be resolved. Based on calculations from the Mali well, the production cost of white hydrogen could be approximately $1 per kilogram, while green hydrogen currently costs around $6 per kilogram. Nevertheless, the cost of white hydrogen may increase significantly if extensive drilling is needed for large deposits.

Pironon and De Donatos are now focusing on drilling down to a depth of 3,000 meters in the Lorraine basin to gain a more accurate understanding of the abundance of white hydrogen. While there is still a considerable journey ahead, it would be quite ironic if this region, which was once a significant coal producer in Western Europe, emerged as a central hub for the burgeoning white hydrogen industry.