Natural (white) hydrogen
Natural, or white, hydrogen refers to molecular hydrogen that is produced in the Earth’s subsurface by geological and geochemical processes and accumulates in rock formations or is dissolved in deep aquifers, rather than being manufactured at the surface through industrial processes.[10] In the Lorraine basin, drilling has confirmed significant dissolved hydrogen in Carboniferous formations, with initial measurements showing 15% hydrogen in fluids at around 1,093 m and modelling suggesting very high concentrations at greater depths, which could translate into tens of millions of tonnes in place if basin‑wide estimates hold.[10]
1 mention
Deep hydrogen exploration drilling (Regalor II)
The Regalor II program uses an ultra‑deep exploration well at Pontpierre, reaching around 3,655 m and targeting up to 4,000 m, to investigate the presence, concentration and genesis of natural hydrogen in the Lorraine Carboniferous basin.[1][9] It builds on previous Regalor work funded with academic partners, and is described as the first well in the world dedicated specifically to dissolved natural hydrogen, combining industrial drilling hardware with scientific instrumentation and sampling campaigns.[9]
1 mention
