Getech (AIM: GTC), a pioneering British firm renowned for its expertise in oil exploration, has unveiled an innovative technology that promises to revolutionise the search for underground hydrogen reservoirs, aiming to capitalise on the surging interest surrounding the potential of naturally sourced eco-friendly fuel.
Headquartered in Leeds, UK, Getech has dedicated decades to assisting fossil fuel enterprises in scrutinising geological data pertinent to crude oil and methane reserves.
Presently, the company has ingeniously repurposed its software methodologies to target the elusive “white hydrogen” concealed within the Earth’s crust.
More than two decades ago, scientific minds speculated that deep-seated rock formations might clandestinely house this elusive gas, albeit necessitating arduous drilling operations spanning several kilometers.
Remarkably, a recent discovery in France has revealed a high-purity hydrogen deposit at a depth as shallow as 3,000 meters.
April witnessed the US Geological Survey’s assertion that an abundant reserve of accessible hydrogen could potentially meet global demand for centuries to come, heralding a potential energy paradigm shift.
Getech’s proprietary software employs cutting-edge models of subterranean landscapes, seamlessly integrating artificial intelligence, to discern optimal “sweet spots” harbouring this coveted gas.
In a statement, Chairman Richard Bennett affirmed, “Natural hydrogen is anticipated to be a major future energy resource and we expect the exploration industry will be keen to utilise our expertise, especially given our reputation for successfully locating other types of energy sources and our ability to provide data simply and compatibility. “
Hydrogen emerges as an enticing substitute for methane in industrial processes, its unique property of combusting at elevated temperatures renders it an invaluable asset. Moreover, its sole byproducts are water and oxygen, a substantial departure from the conventional emissions associated with fossil fuels.
Beyond industrial applications, hydrogen is on the brink of revolutionising transportation, residential heating, and even aviation, ushering in a cleaner era of mobility. Notably, prevailing methods of producing hydrogen, particularly “green hydrogen” via water molecule electrolysis and “blue hydrogen” through methane molecule splitting coupled with carbon capture, have inherent cost and environmental benefits.
The United States Department of Energy has embarked on a strategic initiative aimed at galvanizing the white hydrogen sector, deeming its prospects “astronomical.”
Viacheslav Zgonnik, a distinguished Ukrainian researcher and author of the most comprehensive review on natural hydrogen, contends that the cost of hydrogen could plummet to a mere $1 per kilogram, significantly undercutting the current $3-$4 range. Such a transformation would render hydrogen an economical alternative to traditional oil and gas sources.
Evidencing the global potential of this frontier, Australia-based Gold Hydrogen, a forward-looking prospector, has stumbled upon hydrogen-rich accumulations, boasting an astonishing 80% hydrogen content, nestled at a depth of 500 meters within South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula.
Apart from its exceptional combustive attributes, hydrogen’s allure stems from its capacity for efficient storage, such as in depleted salt caverns—a facet that distinguishes it from electricity storage mechanisms, which often entail inefficiencies.
With Getech’s groundbreaking approach, the pursuit of white hydrogen enters an era of enhanced precision and promise, poised to reshape the global energy landscape.
Getech is also owner of hydrogen developer H2 Green that recently announced the appointment of Dr Graham Cooley as Chair. Dr Cooley will assist H2 Green to expand and develop its portfolio of hydrogen and renewable energy projects and maximise its potential as a ‘pure play’ UK project developer.
Article from World-Energy (May 2023):
FDE Makes Natural Hydrogen Discovery in the Lorraine Mining Basin