The United Arab Emirates is undertaking the exploration of natural hydrogen resources for the first time in order to reduce carbon emissions in industrial sectors. The country has signed a contract with the French company Mantle8 to negotiate an exploratory agreement in Block 7 located in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Exploration Project Details
According to Mantle8, the company will soon deploy around 1,000 passive seismic sensors to create an accurate 4D image of the subsurface. This data, along with sampling of gas, water, and rock, will help identify locations where hydrogen is produced, how it moves, and how it accumulates.
This 24-month project allows Mantle8 to assess whether the geology of Ras Al Khaimah can support domestic hydrogen production and contribute to regional energy diversification. This agreement paves the way for a transition from collecting preliminary data to a potential commercial agreement for exploratory drilling and development, depending on the findings of this survey.
Importance of Natural Hydrogen
Natural hydrogen produces no carbon dioxide when burned, unlike oil and natural gas. Natural hydrogen, generated from geological processes underground, can provide a way to achieve lower costs without the energy-intensive processes required for industrially produced hydrogen. This resource can help meet the needs of various industries such as refining, ammonia production, and chemicals.
The United Arab Emirates is currently focused on green and blue hydrogen and is developing various industrial projects in this area. The country's National Hydrogen Strategy 2050 aims to make it one of the global producers and suppliers of low-emission hydrogen by 2031.
Ras Al Khaimah is located at the northern end of the Smil Ocean, and its geology, active fault systems, and observed hydrogen leaks are among the important factors justifying the need for further studies regarding the potential for underground hydrogen production.
