Natural Hydrogen: Opportunity for India
The exploitation of natural hydrogen presents a significant opportunity for India, a country aiming for energy independence and committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. With a projected hydrogen demand increase from 6 million tonnes in 2020 to over 50 million tonnes by 2070, natural hydrogen could play a pivotal role in meeting these goals.
Potential and Exploration
- Estimated 3,475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen potential in India, which could reduce reliance on hydrogen manufacturing.
- Recent findings of natural hydrogen reserves in the Andamans highlight the need for more focused exploration efforts.
- Comprehensive geological studies are necessary to evaluate:
- Quality, extent, and accessibility of source rock.
- Presence of effective seals and traps for hydrogen.
- Potential for hydrocarbon accumulation and migration losses.
Challenges in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
- Technical and logistical challenges in locating and quantifying reserves.
- The necessity for efficient extraction technologies due to hydrogen's small molecular size and high diffusivity.
- Safety concerns due to hydrogen's reactivity; require advanced materials and safety measures.
Strategic Approaches and Technologies
- Adopting a public-private partnership model for exploration, similar to India's Solar PV mission.
- Using advanced techniques like petrophysical characterization, gravity, magnetotelluric methods, and creating a Natural Hydrogen Deposit map.
- Exploring intentional hydrogen production by drilling and injecting water into rocks.
Industry and Infrastructure
- Review of rock samples by the Oil and Gas Exploration industry in collaboration with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
- Modification of existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen transport.
- Developing cost-effective and safe hydrogen storage solutions, especially underground.
Commercial Feasibility
- Lower cost of natural hydrogen production compared to manufactured hydrogen.
- Weighing exploration, extraction, and infrastructure costs against potential benefits.
- Need for transparent regulatory systems and investment in targeted high-potential areas.
