Brazilian state-owned oil and gas firm Petrobras is investing $4m to research natural hydrogen extraction.
Having started work in October 2023 in the state of Bahia, Petrobras plans to expand into other states to explore the generation process of geologic (natural) hydrogen, as well as the feasibility of extracting the energy carrier.
Formed by natural processes inside the Earth’s crust through processes such as serpentinisation and iron oxidation, natural hydrogen can accumulate in underground reservoirs – offering a potentially low-cost carbon-free source of hydrogen.
The oil major said its research and testing tools for prospecting natural hydrogen will involve partnerships with national and international institutions and companies.
Carlos, José do Nascimento Travassos, Director of Engineering and Technology Innovation at Petrobras, said, “Research studies related to natural hydrogen put us at the forefront in analysing the potential of this source in Brazil.”
In February (2024), Petrobras said it would invest $18m to construct a pilot electrolysis plant to pursue green hydrogen research.
Read more: Petrobras plans $18m green hydrogen plant amid $100bn oil expansion plans
While fossil-based grey hydrogen costs less than $2/kg on average, many anticipate natural hydrogen costs could be around $1/kg, according to Rystad Energy.
The energy research firm in March 2024 said, 40 companies were searching for natural hydrogen deposits at the end of 2023, up from just 10 in 2020.
Despite estimates suggesting vast volumes of hydrogen trapped underground, the majority is “likely to be too deep, too far offshore, or too small to be economically recovered,” according to Dr. Geoffrey Ellis, Research Geologist at US Geological Survey (USGS).
Read more: Analysis: Is natural hydrogen the next breakthrough or bust?
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