Humboldt
Humboldt project
The discovery of high concentrations of hydrogen in several historic hydrocarbon wells in Kansas has positioned the state as a key area for natural hydrogen exploration in the United States.
In 2022, H2Au approached 45-8 ENERGY for a partnership aimed at combining our expertise to better understand the origins of such hydrogen seeps in the US subsurface, and commercial potential of discovered accumulations in the area. Following a detailed joint study of the hydrogen system in Kansas and its promising results, we decided to focus our efforts on this strategic area by launching the Humboldt project.
With the aim of deepening our understanding of the local hydrogen and helium systems while confirming their production potentials, we secured acres in collaboration with local landowners.
Unlike Europe, where the subsurface is owned by the states, exploration rights in the USA are held by landowners. As a result, our project is based on fixed-term lease agreements, drawn up directly with the landowners.
~10,000 acres are already secured over an initial 5-year period to progressively carry out data acquisitions required to validate our exploratory hypotheses.
Size of the exploration area
~40 km²
Size of the exploration area
Counties
6
Counties
Initial terms of mining rights
5 years
Initial terms of mining rights
45-8 ENERGY and H2Au: an US alliance
In 2022, 45-8 ENERGY and H2Au decided to combine their unique and complementary skillsets in a Joint Strategic Alliance created specifically to accelerate understanding of the hydrogen geological system through exploration projects outside Europe. The Humboldt project is one of the results of this collaboration.
H2Au is the project operator. The company coordinates all activities carried out on the license and leads studies and works.
45-8 ENERGY is a partner in the project. The company is contributing with its technical expertise to studies and works.
45-8 ENERGY and H2Au are also collaborating on a second natural hydrogen exploration project in the United States.
Objectives
Deepen our understanding of the origins of natural hydrogen generation in the subsurface.
Precise characterization of geology and target areas prone to natural hydrogen accumulations.
Quantify the volumes of hydrogen that could be preserved in the subsurface, and assess the technical and economic potential, all with the utmost respect for the environment.
Exploration area
The Humboldt project covers ~10,000 acres spread over 6 Kansas counties:
- Marshall
- Nemaha
- Riley
- Wabaunsee
- Morris
- Chase
Humboldt geological context
Humboldt project focuses on key prospects along the Nemaha Ridge, Kansas – an area which has historically shown high hydrogen and helium shows of over 90% and 3% respectively, and which has recently gained a lot of industry attention.
The alliance’s acreage is made up of significant lease parcels strategically positioned over prospects where the structural control provided by the Humboldt Fault and its relays would be favorable for efficient production of the hydrogen and helium potentially accumulated in the structures. Some of the acreages acquired by the alliance are situated less than 10 km from the Sue Duroche-2 wells and close to a recently announced site for upcoming drilling operations.
In addition to contributing to our geological knowledge of natural hydrogen, the Humboldt project also aims to meet the ambition of joint production of hydrogen and helium.
Work program
Key steps
Theorical dates subject to change depending on the progress of the project.
