Natural Hydrogen: Geologic Clean Fuel and India’s Potential
Why in the news
Natural hydrogen is attracting global interest as a cheap, plentiful clean fuel, and India may have deposits.
Key facts
- Forms underground through serpentinisation (water plus iron-rich rock), radiolysis (radioactive rocks splitting water) and breakdown of deep organic matter.
- Discovery: 1987, Bourakébougou, Mali; 98% purity confirmed by 2012.
- France’s finds: 92 million tonnes, roughly $92 billion.
- USGS: tens of trillions of tonnes globally; recovering 2% could meet demand for 200 years.
- Seeps or exploration: Australia, U.S., France, Spain, Albania, South Korea, Colombia, Canada.
India’s potential
- Ultramafic and basaltic rocks; ophiolites of Andaman and Himalayas.
- Greenstone belts of Dharwar and Singhbhum cratons.
- Vindhyan, Cuddapah, Gondwana and Chhattisgarh basins; hot-spring systems.
- Exploration is still nascent; a survey roadmap is needed.
| Advantages | Challenges |
|---|---|
| Cost as low as $1/kg | Depends on deposit concentration and access |
| No electrolysis or reforming | Technology and data still evolving |
| Possibly more scalable than green hydrogen | Scattered deposits; drilling impact |
Exam angle
- Also called geologic hydrogen; 1987 discovery country: Mali.
- Process terms: serpentinisation, radiolysis.