Natural hydrogen, also known as white, gold, or geologic hydrogen, is formed through natural processes in the Earth’s subsurface. Similar to how fossil fuels are created over time, natural hydrogen is generated without human intervention and is a primary source of energy.

At Gehyra, our exploration efforts focus on identifying and extracting these naturally occurring hydrogen resources.

Natural hydrogen is different from grey, blue, and green hydrogen in that it occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust and is extracted directly from geological deposits, unlike the other types, which are produced through various industrial processes.

Grey hydrogen is made from natural gas through a method called steam methane reforming, which emits significant amounts of CO₂. Blue hydrogen is also produced from natural gas but with carbon capture and storage (CCS) to reduce emissions. Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis using renewable electricity, resulting in zero emissions.

Natural hydrogen stands out as it is a naturally occurring resource with much lower environmental impact, as it requires minimal energy to extract, and does not involve the emissions associated with grey or blue hydrogen production.

Recent exploration has shown promising results with high concentrations of natural hydrogen. For instance, on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, hydrogen concentrations of up to 96% have been measured at the Ramsay Project.

At Gehyra, our strategic portfolio approach, which covers multiple play types across over 140,000 km², increases our chances of significant discoveries and lies along geological trends with recent results.

While some skills are transferable, natural hydrogen exploration requires a unique approach. Current industry understanding Is that natural hydrogen Is generated in different geological settings and demands tailored exploration techniques.

At Gehyra, we’re pioneering these methods through our research partnerships and by combining best practices from mining and oil & gas industries with cutting-edge academic research, including advanced soil gas sampling and geophysical surveys.

Natural hydrogen extraction has a dramatically lower environmental impact compared to other energy sources.

Our exploration and production methods are designed to minimise surface disturbance. Natural hydrogen extraction has a significantly lower environmental footprint than manufactured forms of hydrogen. It also requires minimal water usage, unlike green hydrogen production, which can be water-intensive.

When used as a fuel, natural hydrogen produces zero carbon emissions.

We believe natural hydrogen could offer a 97% reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions compared to natural gas when used for power generation.

While still emerging, the hydrogen market is growing rapidly. Global hydrogen demand is projected to grow from about 90 million tonnes in 2020 to 140 million tonnes in 2030. Australia’s national hydrogen strategy aims for the country to become a major producer and exporter by 2030, and Gehyra is well-positioned to contribute to this goal.

While hydrogen is highly combustible and must be handled carefully, it is nontoxic nor poisonous. The natural hydrogen industry Is following best practices used by the oil and gas industry over the last 50 years for safe storage and handling of flammable materials. As technology advances, storage and transportation methods will become increasingly safe and efficient.

We are targeting production costs for natural hydrogen as low as $0.5-1.0/kg and significantly undercutting manufactured low-carbon hydrogen. Extraction requires minimal processing and doesn’t rely on large-scale renewable energy infrastructure for electrolysis compared to manufactured hydrogen.

This cost structure could make hydrogen viable for applications previously considered unfeasible, including low-carbon baseload power generation, carbon-free fertiliser production, and even sustainable aviation fuel at near cost parity with traditional fuel.

Hydrogen has a wide range of applications. It is used as an energy source, particularly in fuel cells to generate electricity for vehicles and other power systems, emitting only water as a byproduct. Hydrogen plays a vital role in various industrial processes, including the production of ammonia for fertilizers and petroleum refining. Hydrogen is increasingly seen as a key player in the transition to sustainable energy, offering potential for decarbonising multiple sectors.