20 identified spent oil and gas wells (candidate sites)

Research into carbon capture and storage and subsurface energy infrastructure

Energy production

Storing hydrogen gas in underground geological formations, such as porous rocks, for later use.

Hydrogen derived from natural gas with carbon capture technology, debated as a potential stepping stone or greenwashing.

A technology used in conjunction with steam methane reforming to reduce emissions from hydrogen production.

Canada

Yorkshire and the Midlands (onshore); North Sea (offshore potential)

Australia

An independent investigation by the British Geological Survey into the potential of an underground carbon capture and storage research laboratory.

A consortium project investigating the reuse of spent oil and gas wells in the UK for carbon capture and storage from blue hydrogen production, with plans to test CCS in 20 identified wells primarily in Yorkshire and the Midlands.