Philippines Launches Native Hydrogen Exploration with Koloma’s Seismic Survey

Could the Philippines be sitting on a huge stash of clean energy just waiting to be tapped? That’s the exciting question the Department of Energy (DOE) is diving into as it kicks off a groundbreaking native hydrogen program in Pangasinan and Zambales provinces. This initiative is one of the first competitive bids for geological hydrogen anywhere in the world and it's entering a pretty crucial phase right now: Koloma Inc. has just started a detailed 2D seismic survey in Bugallon, Pangasinan.

Koloma Inc., a U.S.-based natural hydrogen exploration company, has some heavy-hitting investors behind it, including United Airlines, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Khosla Ventures, and Breakthrough Energy. Thanks to Service Contracts 83 and 84, awarded in late 2025, they’ve got the green light to explore for native hydrogen in Central Luzon. They've put around $8 to $9 million into this ambitious seven-year exploration program, which entails everything from airborne surveys to ground geophysics and at least one planned exploration well.

Surveying the Ophiolites: Aerogravity and Magnetics

Between March and early June, Koloma completed an impressive 27,976 line-kilometers of aerogravity and magnetic surveys over more than 230,000 hectares, zigzagging through the ultramafic ophiolite belts of Pangasinan and Zambales. They used aircraft fitted with gravimeters to measure tiny changes in gravitational pull caused by differences in rock density—basically, heavy peridotites versus the surrounding rock. At the same time, magnetometers were on the job, helping to identify magnetic anomalies linked to different minerals, which gives clues about where hydrogen could be generated when iron-rich olivine meets water.

All this aerial data gets transformed into 3D geophysical models, helping to identify areas where things look promising for hydrogen storage. Exploring these gravity and magnetic signatures alongside local geology can help pinpoint where native hydrogen might be lurking beneath the surface.

Drilling into the Unknown: 2D Seismic Work in Bugallon

Building on their regional foundation, Koloma is now ramping up a 2D seismic survey in Bugallon. Over 132.6 kilometers, they’re sending energy waves through the ground at specific intervals while geophones pick up the echoes. These echoes create cross-sectional images of the layers of rock below, revealing potential traps—like folds, faults, or other structures—where hydrogen could be trapped by layers of impermeable rock above it.

Combining these seismic profiles with their aerogravity and magnetic data sharpens the focus even more: spots where geophysical anomalies and structural highs align are top drilling targets. This “measure twice, drill once” strategy reduces the risks associated with exploration, helping to ensure that when they do drill, they’re in a spot most likely to produce a consistent flow of hydrogen worth checking out further.

Framework and Policy: DOE’s Regulatory Roadmap

The Philippine government is quickly moving forward with its native hydrogen initiatives. In 2023, the DOE rolled out Circular DC2023-11-0031, shaking up Presidential Decree 87 to include the exploration, development, and production of natural hydrogen. They’ve released more circulars covering hydrogen production, storage, and how it can be used, setting up a dual framework that includes resource rights through service contracts and guidelines for hydrogen energy operations.

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin has praised this initiative as pioneering, stating that hydrogen has always been bubbling from local springs and streams, but its economic potential has remained a mystery. Undersecretary Alessandro Sales pointed out that Koloma's hefty seven-year budget and strategic planning aim to discover whether the Philippines can secure a native hydrogen supply. If it pans out, this resource could really strengthen energy security and help the country transition towards low-carbon fuels.

Geologic Sweet Spots: Why Pangasinan and Zambales?

Pangasinan and Zambales are situated on the Philippine Mobile Belt, where tectonic forces have created ophiolite complexes filled with mantle-derived ultramafic rocks. These peridotites, which are rich in olivine and pyroxene, can be transformed into hydrogen gas when they come into contact with water at certain depths. This process oxidizes iron and produces dihydrogen—a natural form of hydrogen gas.

Local hotspots like the Manleluag and Nagsasa hot springs show bubbling that hints at hydrogen production below the surface. These features, combined with the existing geological structure of the area, make both provinces prime spots for exploration. Local governments in these areas have committed to providing logistical support and community engagement to facilitate surveys, environmental studies, and, eventually, drilling operations.

Global Context and Implications

Until recently, most hydrogen production methods have been based on reforming natural gas or electrolysis powered by renewable sources. The recent discovery of a high-purity natural hydrogen field in Bourakébougou, Mali, has sparked a surge of interest in geological hydrogen around the world. Since then, researchers from countries like France, the U.S., and Albania have reported hydrogen seeps or flows, and in 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey shared a prospectivity map that highlighted various target regions.

In this light, the Philippine program stands out for its competitive bid approach and how it's integrated into a mature service-contract framework. If successful, it could validate native hydrogen as a legitimate production method that bypasses the energy-intensive processes related to green or blue hydrogen. A find in Bugallon could supply energy for the grid, fuel cell technology for distributed generation, and clean ammonia for agriculture and shipping.

Risks, Rewards and the Road Ahead

Exploration is always a gamble, and drilling comes with a laundry list of environmental concerns, like managing land disruption, noise, and possible water pollution. To build trust with the community, the DOE and Koloma need to be sensitive in navigating the permitting processes and social impact assessments, especially in areas that are agricultural or coastal, like Pangasinan.

On the flip side, successfully finding a reservoir could ignite investment in native hydrogen infrastructure—think compression stations, pipelines, and transport networks—and create local job opportunities in drilling, data analysis, and technical services. It could also slash fossil fuel and ammonia import costs, aligning with national climate commitments and economic goals.

As the seismic team wraps up their profiling, all eyes will be on interpreting the data and pinpointing the first exploration well. Whether Koloma’s geophysical models hold up will be key in determining future project financing, regulatory adjustments, and global views on geological hydrogen. For anyone following the hydrogen energy news closely, what's happening in Pangasinan is a unique look into a nascent field that could redefine our understanding of hydrogen production and its role in a cleaner energy future.