Summary
Highlights
Omid Ardakani, a research scientist at Natural Resources Canada and adjunct associate professor at the University of Calgary, introduces himself and his work. He specializes in sedimentology and geochemistry, using these fields to understand unconventional hydrocarbon resources and, more recently, natural hydrogen. His work aligns with Canada's Net Zero policy for 2050, focusing on underground storage projects like carbon capture and hydrogen storage.
Omid explains that while both hydrogen and hydrocarbon systems require a source rock, reservoir, and cap rock, their source rocks differ significantly. Hydrocarbons typically come from organic-rich shales, while natural hydrogen originates from igneous, metamorphic, and old crystalline rocks. The production mechanisms for hydrogen involve radioactive decay of elements like uranium and thorium, or serpentinization, which is the oxidation of iron in iron-rich rocks. The major challenge lies in identifying where this naturally produced hydrogen is trapped underground for exploration.
Canada's vast and diverse geology presents both opportunities and challenges for hydrogen exploration. Approximately 50% of the country is covered by old Precambrian and Proterozoic rocks, which are potential hydrogen source rocks. However, the sheer size of the country, coupled with a lack of infrastructure in northern and previously unexplored areas, poses significant hurdles. While Western Canada benefits from existing hydrocarbon infrastructure, other regions will require new technological developments and infrastructure, especially for transportation.
The Geological Survey of Canada is analyzing historical well data for hydrogen exploration. A key challenge is that older data often lack hydrogen concentration measurements due to the absence of appropriate technology and the fact that hydrogen was not a target. However, anomalies in hydrogen concentration from available data are being mapped and correlated with major geological features like source rocks, reservoirs, and deep-seated faults to identify potential exploration trends.
Hydrogen exploration is still in its infancy, and existing methods are largely conventional, drawing from hydrocarbon exploration techniques. These include drill stem testing, surface measurements, and geochemical/isotopic analysis. Soil gas analysis is used to detect leaks, but microbial activity can also produce hydrogen, requiring geochemical methods to differentiate between shallow biogenic and deeper geological sources. Sensing technologies for hydrogen are still under development.
Many skills from the oil and gas industry are transferable to hydrogen exploration, particularly in identifying reservoirs, cap rocks, and deep-seated faults. Drilling methodologies are also similar. However, some existing infrastructure, like pipelines, are not suitable for hydrogen transport and require modification or new development. Companies are actively working on adapting infrastructure for hydrogen, highlighting both similarities and key differences between the two industries.
Omid emphasizes the crucial role of water-rock interaction in hydrogen generation. Both radiolysis and serpentinization require water to interact with source rocks. Fractures are essential for leading water to these rocks, enabling hydrogen production. Serpentinization, particularly at deeper environments with higher temperatures, is a significant process. Some low-temperature serpentinization also occurs, as seen in Oman, further emphasizing the importance of fractures in facilitating water movement.
The Geological Survey of Canada uses large-scale maps and data to identify potential hydrogen sites. They map gas distributions, geophysical anomalies (high gravity and magnetism associated with serpentinization), and structural maps to pinpoint major faults and structures that could be sources of hydrogen. They also map evaporite and salt units that can act as cap rocks. This integrated GIS-based model helps narrow down areas with all components for a viable natural hydrogen system.
Regulatory changes are needed to include hydrogen as an energy source for permitting. In Canada, regulation falls under provincial jurisdiction. While some provinces like Saskatchewan have updated regulations (e.g., for helium, which is often associated with hydrogen), others are still assessing on a case-by-case basis. Federal and provincial collaborations are ongoing to address these regulatory gaps.
Collaboration can play a major role in Canada's hydrogen future. While some companies have begun exploration, a lack of public data, aside from the Mali case, slows down industry investment. Industry expertise in exploration and reservoir modeling, though, can be repurposed for hydrogen, with adjustments for hydrogen's unique properties. Proving the viability and scale of natural hydrogen resources is crucial for attracting significant investment.
Saskatchewan shows promise for natural hydrogen, with reports of anomalous hydrogen shows. The Williston Basin, spanning parts of Canada and the US, possesses the geological elements for hydrogen and helium generation and trapping. While theoretical conditions are favorable, current data is preliminary, and it's difficult to estimate the vastness of the resource. Helium exploration in Saskatchewan serves as a proxy, suggesting potential for associated hydrogen.
Omid cautions against excessive hype surrounding natural hydrogen. While hydrogen is known to be produced in the Earth, the major knowledge gap is where it is stored and how to access it economically. The 2018 Mali discovery, while significant, is a relatively small example. More drilling and exploration activities are needed globally to establish proven resources. The current excitement is partly due to soil measurements without full exploration or understanding of the hydrogen's origin and reservoir.
Expectations for natural hydrogen should be cautious. Unlike hydrocarbons, the widespread usage of hydrogen as an energy source, especially for transportation or heating, is not yet fully defined or implemented at scale. While Canada is a leader in hydrogen production for industrial uses like refining, significant R&D and investment are needed to make hydrogen a major energy component by 2050. The Mali discovery, though continuous, is not a large-scale example and cannot be directly compared to existing natural gas resources.
The largest unknowns in Canadian hydrogen systems are the migration paths and major reservoirs. While Canada has all the geological components for hydrogen, detailed research and fieldwork are required to pinpoint where hydrogen is produced, how it migrates, and where it is trapped. The vastness of Canada adds to this challenge, but targeted activities by the Geological Survey aim to narrow down promising spots for further exploration.
Canada holds a strong position in hydrogen technology, particularly in fuel cells and manufacturing. The Geological Survey of Canada's extensive knowledge of the country's geology provides a strong scientific and industrial backbone. This expertise can position Canada as a leading nation in the hydrogen economy.
The initial steps involve identifying potential spots for hydrogen exploration. Collaboration with international partners and academia is crucial. The Geological Survey of Canada is developing a new 'Geo-energy program' with significant funding dedicated to natural hydrogen resources and underground hydrogen storage. Canada's early research on hydrogen generation, notably by Dr. Barbara Sherwood Lollar, has already had a global impact, providing foundational knowledge for current exploration efforts. Canada's strong scientific background continues to shape its position in the global hydrogen market.