Exploration Licences Granted for Natural Hydrogen Deposits in South-Western France
Key Ideas
- French companies 45-8 Energy and Storengy have been granted exploration licences to search for natural hydrogen deposits in south-western France.
- Recent discoveries in France, such as a major natural hydrogen reservoir in Lorraine and a deposit in the Moselle area, have highlighted the country's geological potential.
- The exploration project aims to assess the natural hydrogen potential in the area through non-intrusive and environmentally considerate methods, including reprocessing existing data and acquiring new measurements.
- The French government's revision of the mining code in 2023 to prioritize the search for natural hydrogen, coupled with the engagement of over 40 companies globally in similar exploration efforts, signifies a growing momentum in this field.
French companies 45-8 Energy and Storengy have received exploration licenses to search for natural hydrogen deposits in south-western France. The Grand Rieu and Marensin licenses cover over 950 sq km in the Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques departments. This initiative follows publicly funded research to evaluate the region's natural hydrogen potential, with the project supported by the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and various partners. The exploration will involve analyzing existing geological data and acquiring new measurements to assess the subsurface structure and hydrogen potential in an environmentally friendly manner. The companies plan to engage with local stakeholders throughout the process. Recent discoveries of significant natural hydrogen reservoirs in Lorraine and the Moselle area have underscored France's geological promise in this area. The French government's prioritization of natural hydrogen search in its mining code, along with the global interest in similar exploration activities, indicates a positive trend towards utilizing natural hydrogen as a renewable energy source.