The new gold rush in America means a discovery that is white in color and a discovery that can be found beneath the American Midwest. The huge hydrogen reservoir has been discovered, and this time the hydrogen is not green in color but rather white. While green hydrogen is produced, this white-colored hydrogen is pure and comes directly from the Earth itself. While this Kansas discovery has been called the gold rush, this form of gold is possibly worth trillions, but it is a colorless discovery.
Understanding the many different colors of hydrogen
When hydrogen colors are referred to, it speaks mainly about the way that hydrogen has been produced. Green hydrogen can be made using renewable energy, while blue hydrogen is produced by natural gas with carbon capture. Pink hydrogen also denotes a different way that hydrogen was produced.
White hydrogen does not get made; it occurs naturally underground and is formed through water–rock reactions and radiolysis. The color shows pure and untouched hydrogen straight from the Earth. The reason that this color of hydrogen is so important is that it means there may be an abundant source of pure hydrogen. This form of hydrogen is cheaper to extract, and now this form of hydrogen has been found in Kansas. Although scientists have speculated that such reservoirs existed, it is only now that the proof has been found.
What does the Kansas reservoir discovery mean?
In April this year, HyTerra started drilling for natural hydrogen at the Nemaha Project in Kansas. It was the early data from Sue Duroche 3 that shocked geologists worldwide. Hydrogen concentrations of 96.1% were recorded in this natural reservoir.
This well penetrated more than 3,450 feet, and it was found that the ancient well was able to generate hydrogen through geochemical reactions. It was through mud-gas logging and real-time sampling that fully functioning hydrogen systems were discovered beneath Kansas.
The more recent findings correlate with reports from the Sue Duroche 2 well, which was drilled in 2009, where hydrogen levels had reached 92%. The findings also showed high helium ratings in the basement. The discovery is so significant since natural hydrogen and helium are both necessary for America’s renewable energy future.
Moving from mere samples to hydrogen
HyTerra’s work is not yet over, and another entrance into the well is important. Reentrance into the well will mean securing downhole samples and understanding the conditions in the reservoirs.
Once further discoveries are made concerning the natural hydrogen existing in the reservoir, tens of thousands of tonnes can be found below. The interest in hydrogen exists because this type of fuel releases merely water when utilized, and America could have a better renewable energy resource if more of this fuel were used. For America, the potential is clearly evident. Since global hydrogen’s heart may lie in America, another frozen spot seems to be hiding a colossal mine as well, which could very well shape America’s renewable energy future.
America is defined by its possible white gold future
While still a discovery in its infancy, there is a risk that comes with the discovery of this natural reservoir. HyTerra is at the height of future energy success. With the Nemaha Project and its sister leasing across Kansas and Nebraska, the possibility of hydrogen flowing could delight many customers. HyTerra has received backing from Fortescue Future Industries.
America, thanks to the Kansas discovery, could prove that potential exists beneath our feet with the possibility of white hydrogen joining oil and gas as an added resource necessary for a sustainable energy future. The reservoir of white gold exists and is waiting to rise. With this discovery, Texas has come under the global spotlight with over 250,000,000 tonnes at the bottom of the historic reservoir, and this historic reservoir has the ability to make various industries greener.
