As explorers and investors seek opportunities to deliver a zero carbon fuel future interest in the potential of naturally occurring, geological hydrogen is rising. Amongst a sea of widely exaggerated claims the excitement and potential of this new energy source is producing a flush of new start-up companies, some backed by major investment, that are taking the first tentative steps to realise these ambitions. As with all nascent industries, this risks are high and the uncertainties poorly constrained, so high-quality technical work is required to separate hype from reality.
In our contribution to the excellent Basins Workshop conference in 2025 we ponder the potential for natural hydrogen to match the hype, examine key examples like the Bougou discovery in the African country of Mali and discuss critical barriers to future commercial success. A copy of this presentation is available for download using the link below and we welcome feedback and questions.
As experts in sub-surface fluid migration and regional studies we provide technical advice to companies exploring this new frontier and assurance to institutional investors who are assessing opportunities to gain exposure to this potential new gold rush. What are the opportunities that offer the best potential for a commercial outcome, is the aim of new projects to discover pools of natural hydrogen akin to conventional natural gas discovery or to find hydrogen dissolved in water and importantly what key technical questions should be asked when reviewing a natural hydrogen project?
As we all find our feet with this new frontier in clean energy potential we must embrace first principals, impartially evaluate the outcomes of an evolving exploration model and critically examine the pathways to future commercial outcomes.
Natural hydrogen, the new gold or a fools errand with little chance of commercial viability?
