# Natural hydrogen

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Molecular hydrogen naturally occurring on Earth

**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 basins](/source/Sedimentary_basin) 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 N. Larin](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wladimir_Nikolajewitsch_Larin&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_Nikolajewitsch_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),[1][2] which suggests that hydrogen, which used to be abundant in the interior of the planet, played a vital role in the evolution of Earth,[3] and described a deep-seated natural hydrogen prominence.[4] However, modern geochemists have challenged the PHE theory, citing geochemical studies of known hydrogen fields that suggest [crustal](/source/Earth's_crust) reactions between water and rocks, particularly [serpentinisation](/source/Serpentinisation) and [radiolysis](/source/Radiolysis), rather than any primordial origin.[5]

Samples taken from an oil well east of the town of [Robe, South Australia](/source/Robe%2C_South_Australia), in 1915, had around 25 per cent hydrogen concentration.[6] Also in [South Australia](/source/South_Australia) in the 1930s, [oil well](/source/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.[7]

### Mali (2012)

In 1987 in the village of [Bourakebougou](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bourakebougou&action=edit&redlink=1)[8][9] in the [Koulikoro Region](/source/Koulikoro_Region)[10] 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](/source/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.[8] Further international collaborations followed, and the company was renamed Hydroma in 2019. In 2021 Hydroma started working with the [Fraunhofer Institute](/source/Fraunhofer_Institute) in Germany, and has been exploring the possibilities of exporting the natural hydrogen to Germany.[8] 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.[9]

### Elsewhere (2020s)

During the 2020s, interest in natural hydrogen has increased and investments have been made to develop natural hydrogen wells in several countries.[11][7] The first H-NAT Summit, the first world summit on natural hydrogen, was held in [Perth](/source/Perth), [Western Australia](/source/Western_Australia), as well as online, on 27-28 November 2023.[12] After the 2025 event in [Paris](/source/Paris), France, hosted more than 500 leaders from over 40 nationalities, the 2026 edition is to be held in November 2026.[13] Major international reviews of the topic were published by the Royal Society London in 2025[14] and the Leopoldina German National Academy of Sciences in 2026[15].

## 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.[1][16] It is also known as white hydrogen,[17] geologic hydrogen,[18] geological hydrogen,[19] geogenic hydrogen,[20] or gold hydrogen.[21][6][22]

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.[23]

## 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](/source/Earth's_mantle) or even its core, (per Larin et al. and Zgonnik, 2020)[5][24] degassing over time[4]

- reaction of water with [ultrabasic rocks](/source/Ultrabasic_rock) ([serpentinisation](/source/Serpentinisation))[5]

- natural water [radiolysis](/source/Radiolysis)[5]

- biological activity[25]

- [weathering](/source/Weathering) – water in contact with freshly exposed rock surfaces[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- decomposition of [hydroxyl ions](/source/Hydroxyl_ion) in the structure of minerals[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- decomposition of organic matter[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Many hydrogen emergences have been identified on [mid-ocean ridges](/source/Mid-ocean_ridge).[26] Serpentinisation occurs frequently in the oceanic crust; many targets for exploration include portions of oceanic crust ([ophiolites](/source/Ophiolite)) which have been [obducted](/source/Obduction) and incorporated into continental crust. [Aulacogens](/source/Aulacogen) such as the [Midcontinent Rift System](/source/Midcontinent_Rift_System) of North America are also viable sources of rocks which may undergo serpentinisation.[27] Reactions between water and rocks in the [earth's crust](/source/Earth's_crust), particularly serpentinisation and radiolysis, rather than any primordial origin, have been posited as the most likely sources of natural hydrogen.[5]

Mantle hydrogen and hydrogen from radiolysis (natural [electrolysis](/source/Electrolysis)) or from [bacterial](/source/Bacteria) activity are under investigation. In France, the [Alps](/source/Alps) and [Pyrenees](/source/Pyrenees) are suitable for exploitation.[25] [New Caledonia](/source/New_Caledonia) has hyperalkaline sources that show [hydrogen](/source/Dihydrogen) emissions.[28]

Hydrogen is soluble in fresh water, especially at moderate depths as [solubility](/source/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.[*[further explanation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*][29]

## 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.[30][31] Natural hydrogen has been identified in many source rocks in areas beyond the [sedimentary basins](/source/Sedimentary_basin) where oil companies typically operate.[32][33][34]

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.[9] This one produces around 50,000 ft3 (1,400 m3) per day, which provides power for its 1,500 inhabitants.[23] As of 2026[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Natural_hydrogen&action=edit) the Malian hydrogen well remains as the world's first and only economically successful hydrogen well.[6][7][35] H2 concentration is more than 95%.[36]

[Mid-continental Rift System](/source/Midcontinent_Rift_System)

According to the *[Financial Times](/source/Financial_Times)*, there are 5 trillion tons of natural hydrogen resources worldwide.[18] Resources have been identified in 10–15 countries, including France, US, Canada, eastern Europe, Russia, Australia, Oman, and Mali.[37][6][38] In France, petroleum company Française de l'Énergie has said that it aims to begin extracting hydrogen by 2027 or 2028.[11]

It was reported in 2018 that geologic hydrogen could be found or produced at scale in the [Mid-continental Rift System](/source/Midcontinent_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.[27] Dissolving carbon dioxide in these fluids could allow for simultaneous carbon sequestration through [carbonation](/source/Carbonation) of the rocks. The resulting hydrogen would be produced through a carbon-negative pathway and has been referred to as "orange" hydrogen.[39] 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).[40]

In 2024, a natural deposit of helium and hydrogen was discovered in [Rukwa](/source/Rukwa), [Tanzania](/source/Tanzania),[41] as well in [Bulqizë](/source/Bulqiz%C3%AB), [Albania](/source/Albania).[42] 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.[43][44][45]. The abundance of mines in rocks of hydrogen-producing potential around the world suggests these settings in [Precambrian](/source/Precambrian) continental rock may be a novel source of economic [hydrogen](/source/Hydrogen)[46].

Exploration is under way in the mountains of [Oman](/source/Oman), where it is generated underground naturally.[21][47]

In South Australia, several companies have obtained exploration licences, including in the [Otway Basin](/source/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](/source/Yorke_Peninsula), but its viability has yet to be proven.[6]

## See also

- [Pure-play helium](/source/Pure-play_helium)

- [Electrofuel](/source/Electrofuel)

- [Hydrogen economy](/source/Hydrogen_economy)

- [Hydrogen production](/source/Hydrogen_production)

- [Combined cycle hydrogen power plant](/source/Combined_cycle_hydrogen_power_plant)

- [Hydrogen fuel cell power plant](/source/Hydrogen_fuel_cell_power_plant)

- [List of geology journals](/source/List_of_geology_journals)

## References

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Guélard, J.; Beaumont, V.; Rouchon, V.; Guyot, F.; Pillot, D.; Jézéquel, D.; Ader, M.; Newell, K. D.; Deville, E. (2017). ["Natural H2 in Kansas: Deep or shallow origin?"](https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2016GC006544). *Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems*. **18** (5): 1841–1865. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2017GGG....18.1841G](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2017GGG....18.1841G). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/2016GC006544](https://doi.org/10.1002%2F2016GC006544). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1525-2027](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1525-2027).

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** Prinzhofer, Alain; Moretti, Isabelle; Françolin, Joao; Pacheco, Cleuton; D'Agostino, Angélique; Werly, Julien; Rupin, Fabian (March 2019). ["Natural hydrogen continuous emission from sedimentary basins: The example of a Brazilian H2-emitting structure"](https://hal-univ-pau.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02187461/file/2019_Prinzhofer_moretti_al%20%281%29.pdf) (PDF). *International Journal of Hydrogen Energy*. **44** (12): 5676–5685. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.119](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ijhydene.2019.01.119). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [104328822](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:104328822).

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## Further reading

- Lopez-Lazaro, Cristina; Bachaud, Pierre; Moretti, Isabelle; Ferrando, Nicolas (2019). ["Predicting the phase behavior of hydrogen in NaCl brines by molecular simulation for geological applications"](https://doi.org/10.1051%2Fbsgf%2F2019008). *BSGF – Earth Sciences Bulletin*. **190**: 7. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1051/bsgf/2019008](https://doi.org/10.1051%2Fbsgf%2F2019008). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [197609243](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:197609243).

- [Gaucher, Éric C.](/source/%C3%89ric_Claude_Gaucher) (February 2020). ["New Perspectives in the Industrial Exploration for Native Hydrogen"](https://doi.org/10.2138%2Fgselements.16.1.8). *[Elements](/source/Elements_(journal))*. **16** (1): 8–9. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2020Eleme..16....8G](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020Eleme..16....8G). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.2138/gselements.16.1.8](https://doi.org/10.2138%2Fgselements.16.1.8).

- [Gaucher, Éric C.](/source/%C3%89ric_Claude_Gaucher); Moretti, I.; Gonthier, N.; Pélissier, N.; Burridge, G. (June 2023). ["The place of natural hydrogen in the energy transition: A position paper"](https://zenodo.org/record/8108239). *European Geologist Journal* (55). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5281/zenodo.8108239](https://doi.org/10.5281%2Fzenodo.8108239). Retrieved 17 August 2023.

- Deville, Eric; Prinzhofer, Alain (November 2016). "The origin of N2-H2-CH4-rich natural gas seepages in ophiolitic context: A major and noble gases study of fluid seepages in New Caledonia". *Chemical Geology*. **440**: 139–147. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2016ChGeo.440..139D](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016ChGeo.440..139D). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.chemgeo.2016.06.011](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.chemgeo.2016.06.011).

- Moretti I., Pierre H. *[Pour la science](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pour_la_science&action=edit&redlink=1) [[fr](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pour_la_science)]*, Special issue on natural hydrogen, in partnership with [Engie](/source/Engie), vol. 485; March 2018.

- Prinzhofer, Alain; Moretti, Isabelle; Françolin, Joao; Pacheco, Cleuton; D'Agostino, Angélique; Werly, Julien; Rupin, Fabian (March 2019). ["Natural hydrogen continuous emission from sedimentary basins: The example of a Brazilian H2-emitting structure"](https://hal-univ-pau.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02187461/file/2019_Prinzhofer_moretti_al%20%281%29.pdf) (PDF). *International Journal of Hydrogen Energy*. **44** (12): 5676–5685. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.119](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ijhydene.2019.01.119). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [104328822](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:104328822).

- Larin, Nikolay; Zgonnik, Viacheslav; Rodina, Svetlana; Deville, Eric; Prinzhofer, Alain; Larin, Vladimir N. (September 2015). "Natural Molecular Hydrogen Seepage Associated with Surficial, Rounded Depressions on the European Craton in Russia". *Natural Resources Research*. **24** (3): 369–383. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2015NRR....24..369L](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015NRR....24..369L). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s11053-014-9257-5](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs11053-014-9257-5). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [128762620](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:128762620).

- Zgonnik, Viacheslav; Beaumont, Valérie; Deville, Eric; Larin, Nikolay; Pillot, Daniel; Farrell, Kathleen M. (December 2015). ["Evidence for natural molecular hydrogen seepage associated with Carolina bays (surficial, ovoid depressions on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, Province of the USA)"](https://doi.org/10.1186%2Fs40645-015-0062-5). *Progress in Earth and Planetary Science*. **2** (1): 31. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2015PEPS....2...31Z](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015PEPS....2...31Z). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1186/s40645-015-0062-5](https://doi.org/10.1186%2Fs40645-015-0062-5). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [55277065](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:55277065).

- Prinzhofer, Alain; Tahara Cissé, Cheick Sidy; Diallo, Aliou Boubacar (October 2018). "Discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Bourakébougou (Mali)". *International Journal of Hydrogen Energy*. **43** (42): 19315–19326. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2018IJHE...4319315P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2018IJHE...4319315P). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.08.193](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.ijhydene.2018.08.193). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [105839304](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:105839304).

- Zgonnik, Viacheslav (1 April 2020). "The occurrence and geoscience of natural hydrogen: A comprehensive review". *Earth-Science Reviews*. **203** 103140. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2020ESRv..20303140Z](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020ESRv..20303140Z). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103140](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.earscirev.2020.103140). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [213202508](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:213202508).

- Prinzhofer, Alain; Deville, Éric (2015). *Hydrogène naturel, la prochaine révolution énergétique*. Humensis. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-2-410-00335-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-2-410-00335-2). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1158938704](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1158938704).

- Moretti, Isabelle (22 May 2020). ["L'hydrogène naturel: curiosité géologique ou source d'énergie majeure dans le futur ?"](https://www.connaissancedesenergies.org/tribune-actualite-energies/lhydrogene-naturel-curiosite-geologique-ou-source-denergie-majeure-dans-le-futur). *Connaissance des énergies* (in French).

- Trégouët, René (17 July 2020). ["L'hydrogène naturel pourrait devenir une véritable source d'énergie propre et inépuisable..."](https://www.rtflash.fr/l-hydrogene-naturel-pourrait-devenir-veritable-source-d-energie-propre-et-inepuisable/article) *RT Flash* (in French).

- Rigollet, Christophe; Prinzhofer, Alain (2022). "Natural Hydrogen: A New Source of Carbon-Free and Renewable Energy That Can Compete with Hydrocarbons". *First Break*. **40** (10): 78–84. [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2022FirBr..40j..78R](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022FirBr..40j..78R). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.3997/1365-2397.fb2022087](https://doi.org/10.3997%2F1365-2397.fb2022087). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [252679963](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:252679963).

- Osselin, F., Soulaine, C., Faugerolles, C., Gaucher, E.C., Scaillet, B., and Pichavant, M., 2022, Orange hydrogen is the new Green: Nature Geoscience.

- Erlach, Berit; Borgmann, Miriam; Achtziger-Zupančič, Peter; Fischedick, Manfred; Klitzke, Peter; Pittel, Karen; Renn, Jürgen; Zwaan, Frank (April 2026). [*Geological hydrogen — an overlooked energy source?*](https://energiesysteme-zukunft.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Publikationen/Weisser_Wasserstoff/Englisch/ESYS_Discussion_Paper_Natural_hydrogen.pdf) (PDF). Germany: acatech, Leopoldina, Akademienunion. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.48669/esys_2026-1](https://doi.org/10.48669%2Fesys_2026-1). Retrieved 19 April 2026.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Natural hydrogen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_hydrogen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_hydrogen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.