depleted oil wells, where biologically produced hydrogen can be used to synthesise renewable hydrocarbons (Cemvita, 2023). A new ‘gold rush’ The prospect of an abundant source of low- cost clean hydrogen has led to the emergence of numerous start-ups, with examples such as 45-8 Energy and TBH2 Aquitaine in France, along with HyTerra, GoldHydrogen, and H2EX in Australia. In addition, major oil and gas and energy companies are bringing their resources and expertise in exploration and production to the search for natural hydrogen. It must be emphasised that today, only one well in Mali is operating to produce natural hydrogen. Exploration and test drilling to locate commercially viable reserves will take time and considerable investment. However, uncertainties and challenges also exist for manufactured clean hydrogen. In 2023, the US DoE considered that on current trajectories, producers may achieve $1.5-$2/kg by 2035, but the $1/kg target will not be met (Parkes, 2023). Some challenges are specific to the production route, such as renewable electricity and scale of electrolysers for electrolytic hydrogen; carbon capture and storage capacity for methane reforming. That said, many of the challenges – the distribution infrastructure, the need for clean hydrogen standards, and supportive government policies – are the same irrespective of the production route. Should substantial, economically viable reserves be verified, natural hydrogen will provide an added impetus to the developing hydrogen economy. For energy-intensive industries looking to clean hydrogen as a means of decarbonisation, natural hydrogen can reduce uncertainty and cost. Natural hydrogen, when considered in combination with manufactured clean hydrogen, is better placed to deliver the anticipated contribution of hydrogen to the energy transition and the ultimate challenge: meet the global warming targets as per the Paris Agreement.
Recycled water, microbes, nutrients and/or inhibitors
Gold hydrogen
Estimated <$1/KG H
H processing and CCS
Carbon neutral
H CO
Bio- stimulation & bio- augmentation
Uses existing infra- structure
Residual hydro- carbons
CO 2 storage
Gold hydrogen
Cemvita proprietary reactions
regions with limited renewables (Europe, Japan, and Korea) the cost will be higher at roughly $2/ kg (World Energy Council, 2021) . Preliminary cost estimates for natural hydrogen are $0.5-$1/kg (Alcimed, 2024) , which would mean this is a hydrogen source that meets both the emissions and cost targets for US clean hydrogen. Given that most projects are still in the exploration or test drilling phase, such cost estimates should be treated with caution. These costs also compare favourably with renewable hydrogen from electrolysis in regions with abundant renewable resources. Indeed, natural hydrogen would be competitive with grey hydrogen, currently the lowest cost hydrogen production route, with costs in the range of $0.9-$3/kg. IRENA considers that the full value of hydrogen will only be fully realised when it is further converted to derivatives, including ammonia and fertilisers, as well as hydrocarbons for fuels and chemicals (IRENA, 2022) . While Decarbonisation Technology regularly features articles on the synthesis of renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals from the combination of captured carbon with clean hydrogen, the availability of natural hydrogen in accessible reservoirs may well create new opportunities. Figure 2 shows a concept in which captured carbon can be injected into Figure 2 Cemvita’s concept combines CCS and utilisation of waste with natural hydrogen production
VIEW REFERENCES
Dr Himmat Singh drhimmats@gmail.com
www.decarbonisationtechnology.com
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