NHSG Research and Projects

NHSG studies and researches all aspects of the occurrence and exploration for Natural (“Gold” or “White”) Hydrogen in a variety of geological settings, including passive margins, intracratonic settings, convergent margins and ophiolites. NHSG’s current research directions include the development of a series of predictive models for the generation of natural hydrogen, largely through the process of serpentinization.

NHSG’s current research directions include:

Serpentinisation

• Controls/Limitations on the reaction (and therefore volumes of hydrogen generated)
• Water throughput in Protolith
• Water access to Protolith

Greenstones Protoliths

• Occurrence/Distribution
• Composition, ultrabasic rock-types, olivine distribution, metamorphic grade
• Structure

Evaluation of Hydrogen in wells

• Detection of hydrogen in wells drilled for hydrocarbons
• Evaluation of potentially hydrogen-bearing tight and faulted/fractured ‘reservoirs’
• Investigation of availability of wells with log suites in basins with known or potential hydrogen

Hydrogen in Solution

• Hydrogen solubility under geological conditions. 
• Capacity to dissolve and exsolve hydrogen from water
• Potential new plays that rely on hydrogen degassing from aquifers

Scoping Commercial Model for Hydrogen Development

• Potential production rates and profiles
• High develop costings for development
• Develop generic cash flow model to test scenarios

Determination of Hydrogen Yield

Working with colleagues from Bridgeporth (Metatek Group) we have recently completed a study for RAK PA (RAK Petroleum Authority) with the support of RAK Gas in Ras al Khaimah, onshore UAE. The study involved the integration of available data and interpretation of airborne FTG and magnetic data acquired on behalf of RAK PA. NHSG undertook an assessment of the Natural Hydrogen potential of the RAK South Area. The technical focus for the feasibility study was to assess the potential for ‘high-temperature’ serpentinisation of ultramafic rocks contained within the ophiolite sequences as a possible source of natural hydrogen. We used petroleum system analogues to analyse the hydrogen system, develop play model(s) and evaluate the potential for further hydrogen exploration and exploitation. Additional geophysical acquisition and a shallow drilling programme is planned to continue the exploration in this area. 

The work undertaken by NHSG was presented with a poster presentation at the AAPG-ICE in Muscat in 2024 and a presentation by RAK Gas at the HNAT24 conference in Paris.

We are collaborating with H2Au Ltd on a number of regional screening studies to evaluate the potential for natural hydrogen and identify target areas for future exploration. Regional studies have been completed in NW Africa, and are ongoing in North America and elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2024 H2Au Ltd was awarded three Technical Cooperation Permits in South Africa and NHSG is providing ongoing technical support in the evaluation of these areas.

NHSG is made up of experts in the fields of petroleum exploration, minerals exploration, petrophysics, geophysics and metamorphic geology. Building on expertise gained in the minerals and conventional oil & gas sectors, we are investigating how well established, science-led exploration techniques can be applied to play-based screening and evaluation approach to locate natural hydrogen occurrences.

The NHSG team includes:

Steve Lawrence, Founder and Hydrogen Systems Lead

Ian Hutchinson, Principal Structural Geologist, Director

Andy Stocks, Principal Petrophysicist

Andy Barnicoat, Metamorphic Geologist and Inorganic Geochemist

Richard Heath, Geoscientist, Director

Chris Irons, Principal Geophysicist

Mike Powney, Senior Geoscientist

Roy Wikramaratna, Principal Reservoir Engineer

Richard Bray, Basin Modeller