It’s confirmed: there are significant quantities of natural hydrogen in the subsurface of the Moselle department. According to researchers, it may even be the largest reserve in the world. This was just announced by Française de l’Énergie (FDE), the company leading the exploration.
The discovery was made possible by a 3,665-meter drill hole, the deepest in the world for hydrogen exploration. Researchers confirmed that the valuable gas, dissolved in water, was present at numerous intervals, building on the discovery made in 2023 in Folschviller, six kilometers away.
58 samples taken during the drilling identified several zones where natural hydrogen was present. Scientists also collected a set of geological data that should help them better understand how the gas formed and migrated.
Next step: continuing research as part of the “Lorraine Gas Resources II” (Regalor II) project with support from the CNRS and the University of Lorraine. This will involve measuring the hydrogen content of the samples and testing the tools that will enable the separation of hydrogen and water.
According to estimates, the Lorraine deposit contains a total of 34 million tons of hydrogen. FDE has obtained an exclusive exploration permit (known as “3 évêchés”) covering an area of 2,254 square kilometers. This is the largest exclusive exploration permit in Europe for natural hydrogen. It should enable FDE to study the entire basin to delineate its extent and assess its potential.
Stay tuned for further developments…
Source : FDE