Valuable gases such as hydrogen and helium occur and form constantly in the Earth’s crust. Along with advancements in the energy transition, new opportunities have been identified for the commercial exploitation of natural gases. However, geological conditions dictate where, and in what volumes, gas can be found.
Valuable gases such as hydrogen and helium occur and form constantly in the Earth’s crust, but up till recently, their potential for use has mainly been ignored. Along with advancements in the energy transition and worldwide expansion of the hydrogen economy, new opportunities have now been identified: perhaps hydrogen can be sourced even in commercially significant volumes directly from the Earth’s crust, without a separate manufacturing process and almost without producing any emissions. However, geological conditions dictate where, and in what volumes, gas can be found. As a potential new energy source, especially natural hydrogen constitutes a relatively fresh research field.
By understanding the behaviour of natural gases in the Earth’s crust we can steer the development of the energy sector for the benefit of the society and the environment.
Gas formation mechanisms in the Earth’s crust are reasonably well known, but substantial research is still needed to explore how highly mobile gases with a small molecular structure move and, on the other hand, remain underground. Moreover, extraction may be the greatest challenge in areas where gas formation takes place in a fractured manner, meaning that there are no significant gas concentrations available.
GTK has conducted measurements and compiled results on gas concentrations in deep groundwater and some drill holes and mines in Finland. We are constantly improving our measurement capacity to generate more comprehensive measurement data. GTK studies the gases in the Earth’s crust and develops methods for such purposes as finding natural gases, quantifying their potential, and modelling their movements. Our experts participate in international research cooperation in this field, and research on natural gases is indeed progressing at an increasing rate.
Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity to remove hydrogen from water through electrolysis, which is a rather expensive method. Natural hydrogen can improve the cost-effectiveness of the hydrogen economy, provided that its potential occurrence proves to be sufficient and its usability is deemed economically viable.
In Finland, rapakivi granite areas are known to be particularly fruitful in terms of the potential occurrence of natural hydrogen.
Leave your contact information and we will get back to you.
