Could Texas be a natural hydrogen gold mine?

The entire states white hydrogen potential is being explored.

MAX Power Mining Corp. and Larin Engineering HHC have launched a comprehensive natural hydrogen (also known as white hydrogen) study of the entire state of Texas.

The study is meant to serve as a model for the US.

The search for natural hydrogen in Texas that is being carried out by the two companies is expected to serve as a model that can be rapidly scaled up to include vast sections of the United States.

The study uses proprietary methods, and the objective is to prioritize prospective natural H2 targets for “near-term potential land acquisitions and exploration”.

According to Larin Engineering General Manager Pavel Painkov, Texas shows high potential as a territory for white hydrogen projects, in terms of a geological standpoint as well as service contractor and engineering standpoint.

MAX Power CEO Rav Mlait agrees, stating in the company’s recent news release, “Texas is where big things happen.” Mlait referenced the state’s oil boom in the early 20^th century as well as Texas’ understanding of hydrogen’s growing importance, where “geology and infrastructure strongly support the potential for the discovery of America’s first Natural Hydrogen wells.”

Why natural hydrogen exploration is worthwhile.

Natural hydrogen – hydrogen that is generated underground through naturally occurring geochemical processes in the earth – has multiple benefits compared to manufactured hydrogen. Primarily, these advantages are costs and emissions.

According to world-leading research and analysis company for the energy sector, RystadEnergy, white hydrogen can have low carbon intensity, with a hydrogen content of 85% and minimal methane contamination. This results in a carbon intensity of about 0.4 kilograms carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram hydrogen gas and includes embodied carbon emissions and hydrogen emissions.

Will Texas be America’s natural H2 leader?

Currently, when it comes to producing manufactured hydrogen, Texas is king. No other state produces more. Texas also has a vast hydrogen pipeline network that stretches for 1,600 miles. Additionally, the Lone Star sate is home to a wealth of other hydrogen-related infrastructure and existing and potential offtakers.

Still, while Houston has defined itself as the energy capital of the world, the rest of the state has yet to be fully explored to discover its energy producing potential, which could very well include a vast amount of natural hydrogen.