{{Short description|Molecular hydrogen naturally occurring on Earth}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{use British English|date=June 2026}} '''Natural hydrogen''' (also known as '''white hydrogen''', '''geologic hydrogen''', '''geogenic hydrogen''', or '''gold hydrogen''') is molecular hydrogen present on Earth that is formed by natural processes, as opposed to hydrogen produced in a laboratory or in industry. Modelling suggests that enough natural hydrogen exists to meet humanity's demand for hydrogen for thousands of years; however, most of this cannot be extracted economically. Natural hydrogen has been identified in many source rocks in areas beyond the [[sedimentary basin]]s where oil companies typically operate. As of 2026, only one well of natural hydrogen has been exploited, which generates gas to produce electricity for a village in Mali, but exploration and research projects are taking place in many countries around the world.
== History == ===Early theories and findings=== <!---[[Vladimir Vernadsky]] (d. 1945) originated the concept of natural hydrogen captured by the Earth in the process of formation from the post-nebula cloud. Cosmogonical aspects were anticipated by [[Fred Hoyle]] (1915–2001).---> {{ill|Wladimir Nikolajewitsch Larin|de|lt=Vladimir N. Larin}} developed the Primordially Hydridic Earth (PHE) concept in his 1975 work ''Hydridic Earth: The New Geology of Our Primordially Hydrogen-rich Planet'' (translated in 1993),<ref name=hydridicearth>V.N. Larin (1993). ''[https://archive.org/details/Hydridic_Earth_Larin_1993 Hydridic Earth: The New Geology of Our Primordially Hydrogen-rich Planet],'' Polar Publishing, Calgary, Alberta. Translated and edited by C.W. Hunt from the 2nd Russian Edition of 1980, Polar Publishing, Calgary. </ref><ref >{{cite web | title=Dr. V. Larin | website=Avalio| date= | url=https://avalio.net/ip/papers/dr-v-larin/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317095550/https://avalio.net/ip/papers/dr-v-larin/ | archive-date=17 March 2026 | url-status=live | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref> which suggests that hydrogen, which used to be abundant in the interior of the planet, played a vital role in the evolution of Earth,<ref>{{cite book | last1=Vidavskiy | first1=Vitaly | last2=Larin | first2=Nikolay | title=Natural Hydrogen Systems | chapter=Chapter 8 Natural hydrogen and the primordially hydridic earth concept | publisher=De Gruyter | date=29 March 2025 | isbn=978-3-11-143703-3 | doi=10.1515/9783111437040-008 | page=239–266}}</ref> and described a deep-seated natural hydrogen prominence.<ref name=ourearth>''[https://archive.org/details/B-001-026-834-PDF-060 Our Earth]''. V.N. Larin, Agar, 2005. (in Russian). </ref> However, modern geochemists have challenged the PHE theory, citing geochemical studies of known hydrogen fields that suggest [[earth's crust|crustal]] reactions between water and rocks, particularly [[serpentinisation]] and [[radiolysis]], rather than any primordial origin.<ref name=moretti2021>{{cite web | last1=Moretti | first1=Isabelle | last2=Webber | first2=M E | title= Natural hydrogen: a geological curiosity or the primary energy source for a low-carbon future? | via=ResearchGate | date=25 January 2021 | url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352741684_Natural_hydrogen_a_geological_curiosity_or_the_primary_energy_source_for_a_low-carbon_future | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref>
Samples taken from an oil well east of the town of [[Robe, South Australia]], in 1915, had around 25 per cent hydrogen concentration.<ref name=brine2026/> Also in [[South Australia]] in the 1930s, [[oil well]] drillers reported finding "vast amounts of high-purity hydrogen". At the time it was viewed as a useless byproduct of the oil drilling industry, and no efforts were made to capture it.<ref name="nyt-overview">{{cite web | last=Alderman | first=Liz | title=It Could Be a Vast Source of Clean Energy, Buried Deep Underground | website=nytimes.com | date=4 December 2023 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/04/business/energy-environment/clean-energy-hydrogen.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Dk0.9imV.6IqQc0Ic4zYr&smid=url-share | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220104128/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/04/business/energy-environment/clean-energy-hydrogen.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Dk0.9imV.6IqQc0Ic4zYr&smid=url-share | archive-date=20 December 2023 | url-status=dead | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref>
===Mali (2012)=== In 1987 in the village of [[Bourakebougou]]<ref name=hydroma>{{cite web | title=About Us – Our History | website=Hydroma | date=5 May 2026 | url=https://hydroma.ca/about-us-our-history/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260331172349/https://hydroma.ca/about-us-our-history/ | archive-date=31 March 2026 | url-status=live | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref><ref name=maiga2023>{{cite journal | last1=Maiga | first1=Omar | last2=Deville | first2=Eric | last3=Laval | first3=Jérome | last4=Prinzhofer | first4=Alain | last5=Diallo | first5=Aliou Boubacar | title=Characterization of the spontaneously recharging natural hydrogen reservoirs of Bourakebougou in Mali | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=13 | issue=1 | date=22 July 2023 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-38977-y | page=}}</ref> in the [[Koulikoro Region]]<ref>{{cite web | title=Bourakébougou, Koulikoro Region, Mali | website=[[mindat.org]] | date= | url=https://www.mindat.org/feature-2459669.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260601055411/https://www.mindat.org/feature-2459669.html | archive-date=1 June 2026 | url-status=dead | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref> of Mali, Africa, a worker attempted to light his cigarette next to a certain water well, and the well unexpectedly caught fire, and it was determined that the flames were produced by natural hydrogen seeping out of the well. A local [[petroleum]] company, Petroma Inc., was created in 2006. Working with international partners it was found that the hydrogen existed as a gas. Exploration, research, and drilling was done, with a pilot project commencing in 2012.<ref name=hydroma/> Further international collaborations followed, and the company was renamed Hydroma in 2019. In 2021 Hydroma started working with the [[Fraunhofer Institute]] in Germany, and has been exploring the possibilities of exporting the natural hydrogen to Germany.<ref name=hydroma/> Since 2012, the well has produced enough hydrogen to provide electricity for the whole village, with a slight increase in pressure after 11 years of operation, rather than declining, as with other conventional sources of oil and gas.<ref name=maiga2023/>
===Elsewhere (2020s)=== During the 2020s, interest in natural hydrogen has increased and investments have been made to develop natural hydrogen wells in several countries.<ref name="hydrogeninsight.com">[https://www.hydrogeninsight.com/production/it-s-on-every-continent-bill-gates-backed-start-up-drilling-for-natural-hydrogen-in-the-us/2-1-1489380 'It's on every continent' | Bill Gates-backed start-up drilling for natural hydrogen in the US] Hydrogeninsight.com. By Rachel Parkes. July 20, 2023. Accessed December 3, 2024.</ref><ref name="nyt-overview"/> The first H-NAT Summit, the first world summit on natural hydrogen, was held in [[Perth]], [[Western Australia]], as well as online, on 27-28 November 2023.<ref>{{cite web | title=1st Natural Hydrogen Worldwide Summit | website=Eurogeologists | date=5 October 2023 | url=https://eurogeologists.eu/event/1st-natural-hydrogen-worldwide-summit/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251212165510/https://eurogeologists.eu/event/1st-natural-hydrogen-worldwide-summit/ | archive-date=12 December 2025 | url-status=live | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref> After the 2025 event in [[Paris]], France, hosted more than 500 leaders from over 40 nationalities, the 2026 edition is to be held in November 2026.<ref>{{cite web | title=HNAT Summit - about | website=HNAT Summit | date=12 March 2025 | url=https://www.hnatworldsummit.com/about | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260601061138/https://www.hnatworldsummit.com/about | archive-date=1 June 2026 | url-status=live | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref> Major international reviews of the topic were published by the Royal Society London in 2025<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natural hydrogen: future energy and resources {{!}} Royal Society |url=https://royalsociety.org/news-resources/projects/low-carbon-energy-programme/natural-hydrogen/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=royalsociety.org |language=en}}</ref> and the Leopoldina German National Academy of Sciences in 2026<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leopoldina: Detail |url=https://www.leopoldina.org/en/publications-and-dates/publications/detail/geologischer-wasserstoff-eine-unterschaetzte-energiequelle-2026 |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=www.leopoldina.org |language=en-US}}</ref>.
==Description and naming== Natural hydrogen is molecular hydrogen present on Earth that is formed by natural processes, as opposed to hydrogen created by scientists in a laboratory, or in industry.<ref name=hydridicearth/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Truche |first1=Laurent |last2=Bazarkina |first2=Elena F. |title=Natural hydrogen the fuel of the 21 st century |journal=E3S Web of Conferences |date=2019 |volume=98 |page=03006 |doi=10.1051/e3sconf/20199803006 |bibcode=2019E3SWC..9803006T |s2cid=195544603|doi-access=free }}</ref> It is also known as white hydrogen,<ref name=bbc2025>{{cite web | last=Farand | first=Chloe | title=The precious 'white gold' fuel buried in the Earth | website=BBC Home | date=24 July 2025 | url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250723-the-worlds-race-to-drill-for-natural-white-hydrogen | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref> geologic hydrogen,<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.ft.com/content/81819f64-1025-489b-959a-c3d9b14cc77a | title=Geologists signal start of hydrogen energy 'gold rush' | work=Financial Times | date=18 February 2024 | last1=Cookson | first1=Clive }}</ref> geological hydrogen,<ref name="erlach-etal-2026"> {{cite book | last1 = Erlach | first1 = Berit | last2 = Borgmann | first2 = Miriam | last3 = Achtziger-Zupančič | first3 = Peter | last4 = Fischedick | first4 = Manfred | last5 = Klitzke | first5 = Peter | last6 = Pittel | first6 = Karen | last7 = Renn | first7 = Jürgen | last8 = Zwaan | first8 = Frank | title = Geological hydrogen — an overlooked energy source? | date = April 2026 | publisher = acatech, Leopoldina, Akademienunion | location = Germany | doi = 10.48669/esys_2026-1 | url = https://energiesysteme-zukunft.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Publikationen/Weisser_Wasserstoff/Englisch/ESYS_Discussion_Paper_Natural_hydrogen.pdf | access-date = 2026-04-19| display-authors=2}}</ref> geogenic hydrogen,<ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1029/2011JG001690 | title = Methane sources and sinks in Lake Kivu | date = 2011 | last1 = Pasche | first1 = Natacha | last2 = Schmid | first2 = Martin | last3 = Vazquez | first3 = Francisco | last4 = Schubert | first4 = Carsten J. | last5 = Wüest | first5 = Alfred | last6 = Kessler | first6 = John D. | last7 = Pack | first7 = Mary A. | last8 = Reeburgh | first8 = William S. | last9 = Bürgmann | first9 = Helmut | journal = Journal of Geophysical Research | volume = 116 | issue = G3 | bibcode = 2011JGRG..116.3006P | url = https://www.dora.lib4ri.ch/eawag/islandora/object/eawag%3A6670 | display-authors=2}}</ref> or gold hydrogen.<ref name= dinneen2024>{{cite web | last=Dinneen | first=James | title=The gold hydrogen rush: Does Earth contain near-limitless clean fuel? | website=[[New Scientist]] | date=31 January 2024 | url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134760-500-the-gold-hydrogen-rush-does-earth-contain-near-limitless-clean-fuel/ | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref><ref name=brine2026>{{cite web | last=Brine | first=Josh | title=Natural hydrogen potential like 'tripping over gold', SA minister says | website=ABC News | date=31 May 2026 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-01/natural-hydrogen-exploration-interest-south-australia/106660270 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260531210708/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-01/natural-hydrogen-exploration-interest-south-australia/106660270 | archive-date=31 May 2026 | url-status=live | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=What is gold hydrogen? | website=Greenly | date=23 April 2024 | url=https://greenly.earth/en-gb/blog/company-guide/what-is-gold-hydrogen | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260119023031/https://greenly.earth/en-gb/blog/company-guide/what-is-gold-hydrogen | archive-date=19 January 2026 | url-status=live | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref>
It is possible that natural hydrogen is a form of renewable energy, as the Earth may generate hundreds of millions of tons of it each year; however, more studies showing the rate of accumulation vs leakages needs to be produced.<ref name=pearce2024>{{cite web | last=Pearce | first=Fred | title=Natural Hydrogen: A Potential Clean Energy Source Beneath Our Feet | website=Yale E360 | url=https://e360.yale.edu/features/natural-geologic-hydrogen-climate-change | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260425072927/https://e360.yale.edu/features/natural-geologic-hydrogen-climate-change | archive-date=25 April 2026 | url-status=live | access-date=1 June 2026}}</ref>
== Geology == Natural hydrogen is generated from various sources. Sources of natural hydrogen may include: * primordial H2, present at the creation of the solar system in the [[Earth's mantle]] or even its core, (per Larin et al. and Zgonnik, 2020)<ref name=moretti2021/><ref>Zgonnik, P. Malbrunot: "L'Hydrogene Naturel". Hrsg.: AFHYPAC Association française pour l'hydrogène et les piles à combustible. August 2020, S. 8 p., p. 5 {{in lang|fr}}.</ref> degassing over time<ref name=ourearth/> * reaction of water with [[ultrabasic rock]]s ([[serpentinisation]])<ref name=moretti2021/> * natural water [[radiolysis]]<ref name=moretti2021/> * biological activity<ref name=gaucher2020/> * [[weathering]] – water in contact with freshly exposed rock surfaces{{cn|date=June 2026}} * decomposition of [[hydroxyl ion]]s in the structure of minerals{{cn|date=June 2026}} * decomposition of organic matter{{cn|date=June 2026}}
Many hydrogen emergences have been identified on [[mid-ocean ridge]]s.<ref>{{cite report| title= L'hydrogène dans une économie décarbonée: Rapport de l'académie des technologies"| via= connaissancedesenergies.org| date=30 June 2020| lang=fr| quote=Il y a beaucoup d’émanations d’hydrogène sur le globe, connues depuis longtemps sur les rides médio-océaniques, en particulier grâce aux travaux de l'[[IFREMER|Ifremer]]...| p=81}}</ref> Serpentinisation occurs frequently in the oceanic crust; many targets for exploration include portions of oceanic crust ([[ophiolite]]s) which have been [[Obduction|obducted]] and incorporated into continental crust. [[Aulacogen]]s such as the [[Midcontinent Rift System]] of North America are also viable sources of rocks which may undergo serpentinisation.<ref name=":1" /> Reactions between water and rocks in the [[earth's crust]], particularly serpentinisation and radiolysis, rather than any primordial origin, have been posited as the most likely sources of natural hydrogen.<ref name=moretti2021/>
Mantle hydrogen and hydrogen from radiolysis (natural [[electrolysis]]) or from [[bacteria]]l activity are under investigation. In France, the [[Alps]] and [[Pyrenees]] are suitable for exploitation.<ref name=gaucher2020>{{Cite journal |last=Gaucher |first=Éric C.|author-link=Éric Claude Gaucher|date=June 2020 |title=Une découverte d'hydrogène naturel dans les Pyrénées-Atlantiques, première étape vers une exploration industrielle |trans-title=A natural hydrogen discovery in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques region, the first step towards industrial exploration|url=https://www.geosoc.fr/toutes-les-actualites/listid-21/mailid-1091-dernier-numero-de-la-revue-geologues-hydrogene-et-gaz-rares.html | language=fr |journal=Géologues, Société géologique de France |issue=213 |access-date=May 2, 2023}}</ref> [[New Caledonia]] has hyperalkaline sources that show [[dihydrogen|hydrogen]] emissions.<ref name="Prinzhofer, Tahara Cissé & Aliou Boubacar 2018">{{cite journal |last1=Prinzhofer |first1=Alain |last2=Tahara Cissé |first2=Cheick Sidy |last3=Diallo |first3=Aliou Boubacar |title=Discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Bourakébougou (Mali) |journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |date=October 2018 |volume=43 |issue=42 |pages=19315–19326 |doi=10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.08.193 |bibcode=2018IJHE...4319315P |s2cid=105839304}}</ref>
Hydrogen is soluble in fresh water, especially at moderate depths as [[solubility]] generally increases with pressure. However, at greater depths and pressures, such as within the mantle, the solubility decreases due to the highly asymmetric nature of mixtures of hydrogen and water.{{explain|what is the relevance to natural hydrogen?|date=June 2026}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bali |first1=Eniko |last2=Audetat |first2=Andreas |last3=Keppler |first3=Hans |date=2013 |title=Water and hydrogen are immiscible in Earth's mantle |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nature11908 |journal=Nature |volume=495 |issue=7440 |pages=220–222|doi=10.1038/nature11908 |pmid=23486061 |bibcode=2013Natur.495..220B |s2cid=2222392 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
== Current sources and projects == Modelling suggests that enough natural hydrogen exists to meet humanity's demand for hydrogen for thousands of years; however, most of this cannot be extracted economically.<ref>La rédaction: Hydrogène naturel : une source potentielle d'énergie renouvelable. In: La Revue des Transitions. 7 November 2019, retrieved 17 January 2022 {{in lang|fr}}.</ref><ref name=":2">[https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/potential-geologic-hydrogen-next-generation-energy The Potential of Geologic Hydrogen for Next-Generation Energy] USGS. By USGS Communications and Publishing Department. April 13, 2023. Accessed Nov. 22, 2024.</ref> Natural hydrogen has been identified in many source rocks in areas beyond the [[sedimentary basin]]s where oil companies typically operate.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Deville |first1=Eric |last2=Prinzhofer |first2=Alain |title=The origin of N<sub>2</sub>-H<sub>2</sub>-CH<sub>4</sub>-rich natural gas seepages in ophiolitic context: A major and noble gases study of fluid seepages in New Caledonia |journal=Chemical Geology |date=November 2016 |volume=440 |pages=139–147 |doi=10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.06.011 |bibcode=2016ChGeo.440..139D}}</ref><ref>Gregory Paita, Master Thesis, Engie & Université de Montpellier.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |doi=10.1039/D3CS00723E|title=Hydrogen energy futures – foraging or farming? |year=2024 |last1=Hassanpouryouzband |first1=Aliakbar |last2=Wilkinson |first2=Mark |last3=Haszeldine |first3=R Stuart |journal=Chemical Society Reviews|volume=53|issue=5 |pages=2258–2263|doi-access=free |pmid=38323342 |hdl=20.500.11820/b23e204c-744e-44f6-8cf5-b6761775260d |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
As of 2023 there were 25 wells in total in the village of Bourakebougou in Mali, with only one being used to produce the electricity.<ref name=maiga2023/> This one produces around {{cvt|50,000|ft3}} per day, which provides power for its 1,500 inhabitants.<ref name=pearce2024/> {{as of|2026}} the Malian hydrogen well remains as the world's first and only economically successful hydrogen well.<ref name=brine2026/><ref name="nyt-overview"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Maiga |first1=Omar |last2=Deville |first2=Eric |last3=Laval |first3=Jérome |last4=Prinzhofer |first4=Alain |last5=Diallo |first5=Aliou Boubacar |title=Characterization of the spontaneously recharging natural hydrogen reservoirs of Bourakebougou in Mali |journal=Scientific Reports |date=22 July 2023 |volume=13 |issue=1 |page=11876 |doi=10.1038/s41598-023-38977-y|pmid=37481587 |pmc=10363119 |bibcode=2023NatSR..1311876M }}</ref> H<sub>2</sub> concentration is more than 95%.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Guélard |first1=J. |last2=Beaumont |first2=V. |last3=Rouchon |first3=V. |last4=Guyot |first4=F. |last5=Pillot |first5=D. |last6=Jézéquel |first6=D. |last7=Ader |first7=M. |last8=Newell |first8=K. D. |last9=Deville |first9=E. |date=2017 |title=Natural H<sub>2</sub> in Kansas: Deep or shallow origin? |url=https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2016GC006544 |journal=Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems |language=en |volume=18 |issue=5 |pages=1841–1865 |doi=10.1002/2016GC006544 |bibcode=2017GGG....18.1841G |issn=1525-2027}}</ref>
[[File:Mid-continental Rift System.webp|thumb|[[Midcontinent Rift System|Mid-continental Rift System]]]] According to the ''[[Financial Times]]'', there are 5 trillion tons of natural hydrogen resources worldwide.<ref name="auto"/> Resources have been identified in 10–15 countries, including France, US, Canada, eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, Oman, and Mali.<ref name=cnn>{{Cite web |last=Paddison |first=Laura |date=2023-10-29 |title=They went hunting for fossil fuels. What they found could help save the world |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/29/climate/white-hydrogen-fossil-fuels-climate/index.html |access-date=2023-10-29 |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref name=brine2026/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Prinzhofer |first1=Alain |last2=Moretti |first2=Isabelle |last3=Françolin |first3=Joao |last4=Pacheco |first4=Cleuton |last5=D'Agostino |first5=Angélique |last6=Werly |first6=Julien |last7=Rupin |first7=Fabian |title=Natural hydrogen continuous emission from sedimentary basins: The example of a Brazilian H<sub>2</sub>-emitting structure |journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |date=March 2019 |volume=44 |issue=12 |pages=5676–5685 |doi=10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.119 |s2cid=104328822 |url=https://hal-univ-pau.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02187461/file/2019_Prinzhofer_moretti_al%20%281%29.pdf}}</ref> In France, petroleum company Française de l'Énergie has said that it aims to begin extracting hydrogen by 2027 or 2028.<ref name="hydrogeninsight.com"/>
It was reported in 2018 that geologic hydrogen could be found or produced at scale in the [[Midcontinent Rift System|Mid-continental Rift System]] that runs down the middle of North America. Water could be pumped down to hot iron-rich rock to produce hydrogen for extraction.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/potential-geologic-hydrogen-next-generation-energy|title=The Potential for Geologic Hydrogen for Next-Generation Energy| website= [[U.S. Geological Survey]]|date=April 13, 2023 }}</ref> Dissolving carbon dioxide in these fluids could allow for simultaneous carbon sequestration through [[carbonation]] of the rocks. The resulting hydrogen would be produced through a carbon-negative pathway and has been referred to as "orange" hydrogen.<ref>Osselin, F., Soulaine, C., Faugerolles, C., Gaucher, E.C., Scaillet, B., and Pichavant, M., 2022, "Orange hydrogen is the new Green". ''Nature Geoscience''.</ref> In 2023 Pironon and de Donato announced the discovery of a deposit they estimated to be some 46 million to 260 million metric tons (several years worth of 2020s production).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Alderman |first=Liz |date=December 4, 2023 |title=It Could Be a Vast Source of Clean Energy, Buried Deep Underground |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/04/business/energy-environment/clean-energy-hydrogen.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Dk0.9imV.6IqQc0Ic4zYr&smid=url-share}}</ref>
In 2024, a natural deposit of helium and hydrogen was discovered in [[Rukwa]], [[Tanzania]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gasworld.com/story/helium-one-itumbula-west-1-records-positive-concentrations/2133704.article/ | title=Helium One Itumbula West-1 records positive concentrations | date=5 February 2024 }}</ref> as well in [[Bulqizë]], [[Albania]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/white-hydrogen-albania-mine/8563494/#google_vignette | title=Will Albania's Huge White Hydrogen Deposit Change the Clean Energy Game? - H2 News | date=7 March 2024 }}</ref> The longest record of natural hydrogen discharges sustained for up to ten years, with hydrogen concentrations up to 17% by volume, were discovered in Timmins Ontario Canada from an active mine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chemical & Engineering News |url=https://cen.acs.org/index.html |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Chemical & Engineering News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bassi |first=Margherita |title=This Canadian Mine Might Release Enough Natural Hydrogen Each Year to Power 400 Homes, Hinting at an Untapped Source of Clean Energy |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-canadian-mine-might-release-enough-natural-hydrogen-each-year-to-power-400-homes-hinting-at-an-untapped-source-of-clean-energy-180988773/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sherwood Lollar |first=Barbara |last2=Warr |first2=Oliver |date=2026-05-26 |title=Decadal record of continental H2 reservoirs reveals potential for subsurface microbial life and natural H2 exploration |url=https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2603895123 |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=123 |issue=21 |pages=e2603895123 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2603895123 |pmc=13214031 |pmid=42150068}}</ref>. The abundance of mines in rocks of hydrogen-producing potential around the world suggests these settings in [[Precambrian]] continental rock may be a novel source of economic [[hydrogen]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natural hydrogen: future energy and resources {{!}} Royal Society |url=https://royalsociety.org/news-resources/projects/low-carbon-energy-programme/natural-hydrogen/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=royalsociety.org |language=en}}</ref>.
Exploration is under way in the mountains of [[Oman]], where it is generated underground naturally.<ref name= dinneen2024/><ref name=mathur2024>{{cite journal | last1=Mathur | first1=Yashee | last2=Awosiji | first2=Victor | last3=Mukerji | first3=Tapan | last4=Scheirer | first4=Allegra Hosford | last5=Peters | first5=Kenneth E. | title=Soil geochemistry of hydrogen and other gases along the San Andreas fault | journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy | publisher=Elsevier BV | volume=50 | year=2024 | issn=0360-3199 | doi=10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.09.032 | pages=411–419}}</ref>
In South Australia, several companies have obtained exploration licences, including in the [[Otway Basin]] in the state's south-east. The company Gold Hydrogen have found hydrogen with a 97 per cent purity on the [[Yorke Peninsula]], but its viability has yet to be proven.<ref name=brine2026/>
== See also == * [[Pure-play helium]] * [[Electrofuel]] * [[Hydrogen economy]] * [[Hydrogen production]] * [[Combined cycle hydrogen power plant]] * [[Hydrogen fuel cell power plant]] * [[List of geology journals]]
== References == {{Reflist}} ==Further reading== * {{cite journal |last1=Lopez-Lazaro |first1=Cristina |last2=Bachaud |first2=Pierre |last3=Moretti |first3=Isabelle |last4=Ferrando |first4=Nicolas |title=Predicting the phase behavior of hydrogen in NaCl brines by molecular simulation for geological applications |journal=BSGF – Earth Sciences Bulletin |date=2019 |volume=190 |page=7 |doi=10.1051/bsgf/2019008 |s2cid=197609243|doi-access=free }} * {{Cite journal |last1=Gaucher |first1=Éric C.|author-link=Éric Claude Gaucher|date=February 2020 |title=New Perspectives in the Industrial Exploration for Native Hydrogen |journal=[[Elements (journal)|Elements]] |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=8–9 |doi=10.2138/gselements.16.1.8 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2020Eleme..16....8G }} * {{Cite journal |last1=Gaucher|first1=Éric C. |author-link1=Éric Claude Gaucher|last2=Moretti |first2=I. |last3=Gonthier |first3=N. |last4=Pélissier |first4=N. |last5=Burridge |first5=G. |date=June 2023 |title=The place of natural hydrogen in the energy transition: A position paper. |url=https://zenodo.org/record/8108239 |journal=European Geologist Journal |issue=55 |doi=10.5281/zenodo.8108239 |access-date=August 17, 2023}} * {{cite journal |last1=Deville |first1=Eric |last2=Prinzhofer |first2=Alain |title=The origin of N<sub>2</sub>-H<sub>2</sub>-CH<sub>4</sub>-rich natural gas seepages in ophiolitic context: A major and noble gases study of fluid seepages in New Caledonia |journal=Chemical Geology |date=November 2016 |volume=440 |pages=139–147 |doi=10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.06.011 |bibcode=2016ChGeo.440..139D}} * Moretti I., Pierre H. ''{{ill|Pour la science|fr}}'', Special issue on natural hydrogen, in partnership with [[Engie]], vol. 485; March 2018. * {{cite journal |last1=Prinzhofer |first1=Alain |last2=Moretti |first2=Isabelle |last3=Françolin |first3=Joao |last4=Pacheco |first4=Cleuton |last5=D'Agostino |first5=Angélique |last6=Werly |first6=Julien |last7=Rupin |first7=Fabian |title=Natural hydrogen continuous emission from sedimentary basins: The example of a Brazilian H<sub>2</sub>-emitting structure |journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |date=March 2019 |volume=44 |issue=12 |pages=5676–5685 |doi=10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.119 |s2cid=104328822 |url=https://hal-univ-pau.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02187461/file/2019_Prinzhofer_moretti_al%20%281%29.pdf}} * {{cite journal |last1=Larin |first1=Nikolay |last2=Zgonnik |first2=Viacheslav |last3=Rodina |first3=Svetlana |last4=Deville |first4=Eric |last5=Prinzhofer |first5=Alain |last6=Larin |first6=Vladimir N. |title=Natural Molecular Hydrogen Seepage Associated with Surficial, Rounded Depressions on the European Craton in Russia |journal=Natural Resources Research |date=September 2015 |volume=24 |issue=3 |pages=369–383 |doi=10.1007/s11053-014-9257-5 |bibcode=2015NRR....24..369L |s2cid=128762620}} * {{cite journal |last1=Zgonnik |first1=Viacheslav |last2=Beaumont |first2=Valérie |last3=Deville |first3=Eric |last4=Larin |first4=Nikolay |last5=Pillot |first5=Daniel |last6=Farrell |first6=Kathleen M. |title=Evidence for natural molecular hydrogen seepage associated with Carolina bays (surficial, ovoid depressions on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Province of the USA) |journal=Progress in Earth and Planetary Science |date=December 2015 |volume=2 |issue=1 |page=31 |doi=10.1186/s40645-015-0062-5 |bibcode=2015PEPS....2...31Z |s2cid=55277065|doi-access=free }} * {{cite journal |last1=Prinzhofer |first1=Alain |last2=Tahara Cissé |first2=Cheick Sidy |last3=Diallo |first3=Aliou Boubacar |title=Discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Bourakébougou (Mali) |journal=International Journal of Hydrogen Energy |date=October 2018 |volume=43 |issue=42 |pages=19315–19326 |doi=10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.08.193 |bibcode=2018IJHE...4319315P |s2cid=105839304}} * {{cite journal |last1=Zgonnik |first1=Viacheslav |title=The occurrence and geoscience of natural hydrogen: A comprehensive review |journal=Earth-Science Reviews |date=1 April 2020 |volume=203 |article-number=103140 |doi=10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103140 |bibcode=2020ESRv..20303140Z |s2cid=213202508}} * {{cite book |last1=Prinzhofer |first1=Alain |last2=Deville |first2=Éric |title=Hydrogène naturel, la prochaine révolution énergétique |date=2015 |publisher=Humensis |isbn=978-2-410-00335-2 |oclc=1158938704}} * {{cite web |last1=Moretti |first1=Isabelle |title=L'hydrogène naturel: curiosité géologique ou source d'énergie majeure dans le futur ? |url=https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org/tribune-actualite-energies/lhydrogene-naturel-curiosite-geologique-ou-source-denergie-majeure-dans-le-futur |work=Connaissance des énergies |date=22 May 2020 |language=fr}} * {{cite web |last1=Trégouët |first1=René |title=L'hydrogène naturel pourrait devenir une véritable source d'énergie propre et inépuisable... |url=https://www.rtflash.fr/l-hydrogene-naturel-pourrait-devenir-veritable-source-d-energie-propre-et-inepuisable/article |work=RT Flash |date=17 July 2020 |language=fr}} *{{cite journal |doi=10.3997/1365-2397.fb2022087 |title=Natural Hydrogen: A New Source of Carbon-Free and Renewable Energy That Can Compete with Hydrocarbons |year=2022 |last1=Rigollet |first1=Christophe |last2=Prinzhofer |first2=Alain |journal=First Break |volume=40 |issue=10 |pages=78–84 |bibcode=2022FirBr..40j..78R |s2cid=252679963 }} *Osselin, F., Soulaine, C., Faugerolles, C., Gaucher, E.C., Scaillet, B., and Pichavant, M., 2022, Orange hydrogen is the new Green: Nature Geoscience. * {{cite book | last1 = Erlach | first1 = Berit | last2 = Borgmann | first2 = Miriam | last3 = Achtziger-Zupančič | first3 = Peter | last4 = Fischedick | first4 = Manfred | last5 = Klitzke | first5 = Peter | last6 = Pittel | first6 = Karen | last7 = Renn | first7 = Jürgen | last8 = Zwaan | first8 = Frank | title = Geological hydrogen — an overlooked energy source? | date = April 2026 | publisher = acatech, Leopoldina, Akademienunion | location = Germany | doi = 10.48669/esys_2026-1 | url = https://energiesysteme-zukunft.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Publikationen/Weisser_Wasserstoff/Englisch/ESYS_Discussion_Paper_Natural_hydrogen.pdf | access-date = 2026-04-19 }}
[[Category:Hydrogen]] [[Category:Natural resources]]