HyTerra to drill first natural hydrogen wells in Kansas next month

HyTerra is set to drill its first exploratory wells in Kansas, US, next month, as it ramps up its search for natural hydrogen.

The Australian start-up will kick off the campaign under its Nemaha Project, where previous reports indicated hydrogen concentrations of 92% and up to 3% helium.

Under its stage I exploration programme, the company will drill two back-to-back wells in April 2025 with the option to drill a third.

© HyTerra

This marks the start of HyTerra’s 12-month exploration plan, focused on geological surveys and data collection.

The drilling programme aims to assess subsurface hydrogen and helium concentrations while analysing the reservoir’s characteristics.

“This drilling campaign marks a major milestone for HyTerra as we leverage our significant lease position through a comprehensive staged exploration programme targeting both hydrogen and helium gases,” said HyTerra Executive Director, Benjamin Mee.

The company was granted a Permit to Drill last summer. Australian iron ore major Fortescue also acquired a 39.8% stake in HyTerra.

Natural hydrogen is formed inside the Earth’s crust by natural processes and can accumulate in underground reservoirs. It has been growing in interest as a potential low-cost, low-impact energy source.

Extracting the energy carrier is still very much in its infancy, although its proponents suggest existing oil and gas extraction technologies and processes could be used. However, natural hydrogen is also often found alongside helium due to the similar geological processes that lead to their formation and accumulation.

Helium, a noble gas used in MRI machines, semiconductor production, and more, is highly valuable.