Defining New Standards in Natural Hydrogen Discovery: Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s Technological Edge
Xcalibur Smart Mapping applies its decades of airborne geophysical expertise to support natural hydrogen exploration. As a field that draws on methodologies from both hydrocarbon and mineral exploration, natural hydrogen exploration requires advanced technologies for precise data acquisition, interpretation, and modelling. Xcalibur’s unique approach combines these capabilities with an emphasis on both surface and subsurface mapping.
The Role of Natural Hydrogen in Future Energy Solutions
Hydrogen has long been viewed as a promising energy carrier due to its clean combustion profile, producing only water as a byproduct. While much attention has been focused on hydrogen production through electrolysis and steam reforming, natural hydrogen offers a different pathway. Naturally occurring hydrogen, or “gold hydrogen,” forms within the Earth through various geological processes. Unlike manufactured hydrogen, which often relies on significant energy input and may involve carbon emissions depending on production methods, natural hydrogen represents a renewable energy source with a reduced environmental footprint.
This emerging focus on natural hydrogen as a sustainable alternative aligns with global efforts to diversify energy sources. However, identifying viable hydrogen reserves requires specialised techniques and a strong understanding of subsurface geological dynamics. Here, Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s expertise plays a key role by providing the tools and knowledge necessary to support the discovery and mapping of hydrogen resources across various geological contexts.
Approach to Hydrogen Generation and Migration
Natural hydrogen generation in the subsurface occurs through well-studied processes, including serpentinization and radiolysis. Serpentinization is a chemical reaction that happens when certain types of rocks—specifically, mafic and ultramafic lithologies—interact with water under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions. This reaction produces hydrogen as a byproduct and occurs in regions where these rock types are prevalent. For effective exploration, it is essential to map these specific formations accuratel
The FALCON® Airborne Gravity Gradiometry (AGG) system developed by Xcalibur Smart Mapping is particularly suited to this task. FALCON® AGG offers high-resolution gravity data, allowing for the precise identification and mapping of dense ultramafic rock formations deep below the surface. The system’s ability to detect minute variations in the gravitational field helps delineate key geological structures, aiding in the identification of areas where serpentinization is likely to occur. This capability is essential for locating zones with natural hydrogen generation potential.
In addition to identifying specific rock types associated with hydrogen production, FALCON® AGG data, combined with magnetic data, enables the mapping of fractures and faults within the subsurface. Fractures and faults are significant in hydrogen exploration as they create conduits for water and gas movement, facilitating hydrogen migration. For hydrogen to accumulate and remain trapped in the subsurface, the presence of impermeable layers, such as shales or salt deposits, is necessary to prevent it from escaping. FALCON® AGG’s proven accuracy in identifying these trapping formations, a technique refined through years of application in hydrocarbon exploration, makes it a versatile and valuable tool for natural hydrogen studies.
The application of FALCON® AGG in natural hydrogen exploration is already being demonstrated through current and past collaborations with companies like Koloma, Hyterra, and Gold Hydrogen. These organisations are engaged in pioneering hydrogen projects that aim to tap into naturally occurring hydrogen as a sustainable energy resource. Through these partnerships, Xcalibur Smart Mapping is supporting the development of methodologies that combine geological insight with advanced airborne technology to locate hydrogen deposits efficiently and accurately.
In regions where ultramafic rocks are prevalent, such as parts of Australia and North America, the combined use of FALCON® AGG has enabled these companies to conduct exploratory surveys in areas with high potential for hydrogen generation and accumulation. This approach not only supports the assessment of commercial viability but also provides insights into the geological processes that sustain natural hydrogen generation, enhancing our understanding of this resource.
Innovating Detection: H-MAS Technology
In addition to FALCON® AGG, Xcalibur Smart Mapping is advancing the field of hydrogen exploration through the Hydrogen Mapping Airborne Spectrometer (H-MAS), a QUANTUM sensor developed in partnership with Curtin University of Technology in Perth, Australia. H-MAS enables direct detection of atmospheric hydrogen using Raman Scattering Spectroscopy, an innovative method that allows for the safe and remote measurement of hydrogen and other atmospheric gases. This technique is noteworthy for its precision and ability to measure hydrogen concentration in real time, even from airborne platforms.
The H-MAS system works by emitting a laser that excites a volume of air near the Earth’s surface, generating scattered light. Each molecule within this volume has a unique vibrational signature, which produces a distinct pattern in the scattered light. The spectrometer then analyses this spectrum to determine the concentration of hydrogen and other gases present in the air. This capability allows H-MAS to provide valuable data on hydrogen seepage directly from the surface, complementing the subsurface mapping provided by FALCON® AGG.
When used in conjunction, FALCON® AGG and H-MAS will offer a dual approach to hydrogen exploration, covering both surface and subsurface data collection. This comprehensive dataset supports a more accurate assessment of hydrogen-rich sites, assisting in identifying areas where hydrogen accumulates or actively migrates. Independently, H-MAS can also be applied to monitor atmospheric hydrogen leaks from infrastructure, such as pipelines and storage facilities, providing an additional tool for safe and sustainable hydrogen resource management.
Advancing the Future of Hydrogen Exploration
Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s approach to hydrogen exploration integrates methodologies traditionally used in both petroleum and mineral exploration. This dual approach allows for a comprehensive assessment of areas with potential for hydrogen generation, migration, and accumulation. By offering solutions that facilitate both detection and monitoring, Xcalibur is helping to address the technical challenges of hydrogen exploration and positioning itself as a resource for sustainable energy development.
The potential role of natural hydrogen in future energy systems cannot be understated. As more countries and industries explore hydrogen as a sustainable energy source, the need for accurate and reliable exploration technologies grows. Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s work in this field demonstrates how geophysical solutions can be adapted to meet emerging energy demands, supporting the shift toward diverse and sustainable energy solutions.
In addition to our established methods, Xcalibur Smart Mapping’s technology leverages the use of laser-based Raman Scattering Spectroscopy to directly detect and analyse surface hydrogen emissions in the atmosphere. This innovative approach enables the identification of hydrogen seepage through various geological layers, from basement rocks where hydrogen is generated to sedimentary rock layers that guide its migration. The process captures backscattered laser light, including Raman photons, which reveal the molecular composition of gases present in the near-surface air. By combining this advanced surface detection with subsurface mapping, we can more accurately assess potential hydrogen reservoirs and migration pathways within geological structures, such as faults and impermeable layers, which serve as natural traps.
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About Xcalibur Smart Mapping
Xcalibur Smart Mapping is the global leader in the airborne geophysics and mapping industry, providing comprehensive and sustainable solutions for mapping and assessing natural capital, renewable and non-renewable resources, with +100 years of accumulated experience.
With over 1,400 executed projects and an astonishing total of more than 50 million linear kilometres flown, we have become global leaders across six continents. Our worldwide presence is underpinned by a fleet of more than 40 specialised aircraft owned by the group, all equipped with state-of-the-art geophysical systems. Our workforce, consisting of over 400 highly qualified employees, serves as the driving force behind our continuous innovation and industry success.
To learn more, visit www.xcaliburmp.com