Assessment of natural hydrogen systems in Western Australia

Abstract

The discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Mali has triggered the opportunity to search for hydrogen accumulations in other countries. The generation of hydrogen in Mali is linked to the presence of very old iron-rich basement rocks. Solid-liquid redox reactions between iron-rich minerals and groundwater are a possible source of H2 in deep basement rocks. The hypothesis is that hydrogen degassing may result in the surface circular shallow depressions. The Archean iron-rich Yilgarn and Pilbara cratons that cover a vast area of Western Australia contain abundant iron-rich mafic-ultramafic rocks. The craton reveals many surficial circular depressions visible through satellite images. The area has abundant fault systems and is blanketed with Eocene sedimentary rocks containing high-quality reservoir rocks. All these characteristics appear to provide most of the required elements, such as a hydrogen source, migration pathway, and reservoir rock for a complete “Hydrogen System” to be developed in the area.