'Gas seeps' | Philippines opens auction for natural-hydrogen exploration rights across two zones near Manila
The 'predetermined areas' include four locations where hydrogen 'gas seeps' have already been located
The Philippines has opened up an auction for the rights to explore for natural hydrogen across two zones about 200km from the capital city, Manila.
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“Several studies revealed that native hydrogen forms primarily in two major geologic environments. These include Precambrian crystalline shields and serpentinised ultramafic rocks within land-based ophiolites, the latter of which is abundant in the Philippines,” according to a press release from the country’s Department of Energy (DOE).
“The Philippines has nine ophiolite belts, several of which showcased gas seeps. Of these areas, the Zambales Ophiolite Complex is deemed to be the most promising location for native hydrogen exploration, being home to serpentinised ultramafic rocks.”
It adds: “DOE Undersecretary Alessandro O. Sales said the DOE will select applicants who can demonstrate a good understanding of the possible resource potential of these areas and will carry out a work program that will efficiently map and test the potential. Applicants must have experience from exploration and field development in similar areas and the necessary risk capital and financial capability to explore and develop.”
The 2024 Philippine Bid Round is accepting bids from developers until 27 August, with exploration rights to be awarded as early as November this year.
Six other PDAs in the Philippines have also simultaneously been opened for oil and coal exploration by the government of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
(Copyright)Key natural hydrogen production processes, environments and locations
There are six known ways in which hydrogen is produced naturally:
Serpentinisation
In which the mineral olivine located in mid-ocean ridges or ophiolites (a geological formation where sections of the Earth’s mantle rise above sea level) is weathered to form hydrogen-rich fluids. This has been seen in the Semail ophiolite, in the Hajar Mountains of Oman. Under pressure and high temperatures, water can react with these iron-rich rocks to produce H2.
Radiolysis of water
Radioactive elements in the Earth’s crust — for example in crystalline basement rocks with high content of uranium, thorium or potassium — decompose water molecules trapped in causing a hydrogen pocket, as happened in South Australia.
Deep degassing
In which “primary” hydrogen (a single hydrogen atom attached to a single carbon atom) escapes from deep within the Earth’s crust. This has been seen in Nebraska, in the US.
Iron reduction and sulphur oxidation
Ferric iron in a black smoker (a subsea hydrothermal vent formed from iron sulphide deposits) is reduced to ferrous iron and hydrogen sulphides.
Thermal decomposition of organic matter
In which ammonium compounds located in deep sendiments decompose under high temperatures to form hydrogen and nitrogen, for example in hydrogen-nitrogen gas seeps in Oman.
Biological activity
Hydrogen is produced by microbes living in the Earth’s crusts, usually co-existing with hydrogen-consuming microbes and found via sediment or aquifers. This has been observed in the coal beds of the Powder River Basin in Montana, US.