Helium and natural gas exploration firm D3 Energy claims to have found up to 88 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural hydrogen at two exploration prospects in South Australia’s Arckaringa Basin.
Translating to roughly 136,000 tonnes under standard conditions, D3 plans to begin drilling and testing activities for the two subsurface geological structures by 2027, which could result in the first extraction at the permitted exploration zone PEL121.
According to the company, independent certification by technical consulting firm Sproule ERCE identified the reserves at the Hydrohelix and Cootanoorina sites, alongside substantial deposits of helium and methane.
D3 has also begun a farm-out process seeking a development partner for Hydrohelix to help fund future drilling.
David Casey, CEO of D3, said the prospective resources give the company a “genuinely diversified, multi-country exposure to critical gases” as demand for them continues to grow.
Natural hydrogen, also known as geologic or white hydrogen, has drawn attention for its potential to deliver large volumes of low-carbon hydrogen at low-cost. However, its extraction remains relatively novel.
Geological uncertainty, a lack of proven exploration techniques, underdeveloped regulation and unclear economics give it a dubious outlook compared to green and blue hydrogen.
South Australia sees growing interest around the molecule’s extraction. Earlier this year, Prominence Energy began surveying a 64,000km2 area for natural hydrogen and helium deposits.
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