Concurrent 21. Presentation for: Gold (hydrogen) rush: risks and uncertainties in exploring for naturally occurring hydrogen
Linda Stalker A *A CSIRO, ARRC, 26 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington, WA 6151, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 62 - https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21377
Published: 3 June 2022
Abstract
Presented on Thursday 19 May: Session 21
Interest in hydrogen (H2) energy has exploded in the last few years. Much of the interest comes from transitioning to a decarbonised energy future, through the use of renewables, to convert hydrogen-rich materials (methane, water) to pure hydrogen gas streams. Each of these methods have their own challenges, such as the need for carbon capture and storage to manage carbon emissions or perspectives on the use of fresh water. At the same time as this engineered approach to generating hydrogen, there has been a quiet but exponential upsurge in research surrounding the origins and fate of naturally occurring hydrogen. Sometimes referred to as ‘gold’ or ‘white’ hydrogen, geological forms of hydrogen have been recognised for thousands of years. While already present as H2, hydrogen may exist with other gases, such as methane, helium, hydrogen sulfide and/or nitrogen. But is it real? Is it volumetrically significant, discoverable, predictable or exploitable? Early work suggests that we can begin to characterise potential sources of hydrogen, the depth ranges they may be generated from, the migration mechanisms that are relevant, and how they might be retained or lost in relation to the discovery and exploitation of this gas. However, existing publicly available data is constrained by a lack of analysis and limited evidence. While there are increased reports of seeps containing hydrogen, there is an absence of evidence of more significant finds and a lack of major analogues and case studies to date. We explore these risks and uncertainties and provide a roadmap for reducing the evidence gap.
To access the presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here
Keywords: analysis, Australia, basement, exploration, halite, migration, natural hydrogen, proxy species, radiolysis, serpentinisation, source, trapping.
Dr Linda Stalker obtained a BSc (Hons) in Applied Geology (University of Strathclyde, Scotland) in 1990. Her PhD on petroleum geochemistry and carbon dioxide (CO2) generation was gained at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In 1994 she joined the University of Oklahoma (USA) on a Department of Energy sponsored post doctoral study into organosulfur compounds trapped in coals. From 1996, she worked in petroleum exploration and production (E&P) at Statoil, Norway, including 2 years on the Sleipner Field. She joined CSIRO in 2000 and has held numerous positions while maintaining research expertise in hydrocarbon E&P and carbon storage research. She is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and the Geochemical Society. Linda has also held the roles of Science Director for the National Geosequestration Laboratory and Acting-CEO of the Western Australian Energy Research Alliance. She is currently a Senior Principal Research Scientist and the Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance State Leader for WA, SA and Vic. https://people.csiro.au/S/L/Linda-Stalker. |
