Geologic hydrogen exploration by imaging key hydrogen system components using multiple geophysical methods

Abstract Geologic hydrogen has emerged as a potentially transformational energy source in the quest for low-cost energy supplies and long-term energy security. If realized, this new form of primary energy source could circumvent the insurmountable challenge of finding and producing enough metals and critical minerals to meet the demands of clean energy. The technical challenge to finding geologic hydrogen requires the reconfiguration and recombination of two major branches of exploration geophysics, namely mineral exploration and oil and gas exploration. In this paper, we aim to connect the existing exploration geophysics with the key components of ultramafic geologic hydrogen systems and discuss the strategies for exploring for naturally occurring geologic hydrogen. In particular, we discuss the applications of gravity, magnetic, and electromagnetic methods in imaging and characterizing H2 source rocks, seismic, gravity, and electromagnetic methods in reservoir delineation and drilling de-risking. We present an approach for hydrogen exploration using a phenomenological observation-based system before a complete systems theory becomes available. We also discuss the new role that hard rock mineral exploration geophysics can play in the direct exploration for this primary energy source. This could provide exploration geophysicists a new cycle of opportunities and new space of applying our expertise, albeit in reconfigured and recombined modes.