Drilling for natural hydrogen: South Australia’s golden opportunity?

Natural hydrogen, often referred to as white or gold hydrogen, is a promising clean primary energy source. Interest in natural hydrogen continues to grow, with established players such as Australia’s Fortescue and UK supermajor BP investing into startups and exploration firms. Back in 2021, South Australia was the first state to permit natural hydrogen exploration, leading to dozens of companies to apply for exploration permits. In 2023, the first natural hydrogen-purposed well in the country was drilled in South Australia. To date, South Australia remains a global leader in this space, with several companies racing to find underground hydrogen deposits. Natural hydrogen is still a relatively niche and nascent industry, with a lot of unknowns. National scientific institutions such as CSIRO and Geoscience Australia are undertaking crucial work to get a better understanding of how natural hydrogen is formed and where to find it. South Australia’s first-mover advantage could transform a promising geological resource into a strategic asset if commercially viable deposits are uncovered. As the global energy sector accelerates its shift towards decarbonisation, natural hydrogen offers an appealing opportunity: lower carbon intensity compared with natural gas-based grey hydrogen and lower costs compared with electrolysis-based green hydrogen. In this paper, we will discuss the latest trends and opportunities of the natural hydrogen industry in South Australia.