World's largest natural hydrogen deposit discovery is worth a staggering $184 billion [View all]

World’s largest natural hydrogen deposit discovery is worth a staggering $184 billion

Eric Ralls | 05-03-2025

Folschviller, a quiet town in France’s Moselle region, just handed the energy world a surprise it didn’t see coming. Beneath land once dotted with coal pits lies an estimated 46 million tons of natural hydrogen, a cache large enough to stir fresh conversations about how the planet powers itself.

The figure tops half of today’s yearly gray hydrogen output, yet it carries none of the pollution burden that shadows the industry’s status quo.

The discovery lands at a moment when clean fuels are in high demand, but often too pricey or too dirty to use at scale. Here, nature has done the hard work.

Instead of relying on factories or fossil fuels, this hydrogen has sat untouched until recent drilling exposed it – and the timing could not be more convenient for a world bent on cutting emissions.

Finding the natural hydrogen motherlode

A research team hunting for methane struck a different kind of treasure at a depth of 4,101 feet. The drill core showed pockets of colorless gas, soon confirmed as hydrogen.

Learn more about natural hydrogen extraction in this full study by the journal Nature...
https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-natural-hydrogen-deposit-discovery-is-worth-a-staggering-184-billion/

NATURE.com: Review on natural hydrogen wells safety

Abstract

Hydrogen is a promising clean energy source with geological reserves widely distributed globally, offering an annual flow exceeding 23 trillion grams. However, natural hydrogen extraction wells face unique safety challenges compared to conventional oil and gas wells. This paper reviews well safety concerns such as tubing/casing damage, cement/sealant failure, and excessive annular pressure buildup. Key issues include hydrogen embrittlement, microbiological corrosion, H2-cement reaction, and H2-rubber degradation, which can lead to mechanical failures. The review explores potential solutions like metal coatings, rubber fillers, and cement additives to mitigate these problems. It also emphasizes the need for further research to validate these solutions under real-world conditions. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the safe and efficient extraction of natural hydrogen...more
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-55773-y

Fig. 2: Conceptual diagram of integrated utilization of natural hydrogen and renewable energy. (Nature.com)