Canada in focus for natural hydrogen exploration

Several company announcements in recent days have put Canada into the spotlight for naturally-occurring subsurface hydrogen prospects.

Vancouver-based natural resources company Max Power said on 1 August it had "uncovered Canada's largest natural hydrogen target area" in the province of Saskatchewan and that it had assembled a "1,244km² land package through a series of permit applications".

On 6 August, the same firm said it had "staked" an additional 2,112km² for exploration, thereby nearly tripling the target area of what it has named the Rider Natural Hydrogen Project.

Max Power has made "permit applications" for 3,356 km², planning natural hydrogen exploration "and drilling in due course," it told Argus. The project's target area, in southeast Saskatchewan, has dozens of historical hydrogen showings including with grades up to 96.4pc, the company said. The province "is exceptionally positioned to become the first jurisdiction in North America to produce natural hydrogen," it said.

But as for most natural hydrogen ventures globally, these plans are at an early stage and the focus for now is on assessing the precise potential.

Compatriot Quebec Innovative Materials (QIMC) is also pursuing natural hydrogen exploration — albeit at a smaller scale. The company said on 6 August it discovered "significant natural hydrogen anomalies" in additional areas of its 250 km² Ville Marie natural hydrogen exploration, which it is pursuing together with research institute INRS in Quebec province.

"The extension of this discovery aligns with Quebec's clean energy objectives by identifying a promising source of natural hydrogen," QIMC said.

Other Canadian firms have ventured abroad in pursuit of natural hydrogen. Montreal-based Hydroma, a pioneer in this sector, has been looking into opportunities in Mali, west Africa. The company plans to source natural hydrogen for local power generation and aims to develop large projects in the future after it proves its business case, Hydroma's strategy and development director Asma Diallo said previously.

Canada joins countries such as the US, France, Colombia and the Philippines where companies have outlined ambitious plans for natural hydrogen exploration and production.

By Pamela Machado