On October 23, 2024, at the International Hydrogen Energy Conference (IH2CON) in Moscow, K. Romanov, CEO of Gazprom Hydrogen, announced that the company has begun investigating the extraction of natural, or White Hydrogen in Serbia (eastern Russia). Initial studies at the Kovykta field in the Irkutsk region have confirmed the presence of this rare gas, although its concentration remains low, around 3%.
Gazprom has been researching the Kovykta field since 2020, collecting samples from multiple wells. While the current hydrogen levels are not yet sufficient for industrial-scale extraction, Romanov emphasized that these findings represent a significant advance in understanding the resource’s potential.
The Kovykta field boasts recoverable gas reserves of 1.8 trillion cubic meters and gas condensate reserves of 65.7 million tons. It features a complex geological structure, with gas layers primarily within the Parfenov horizon containing hydrocarbons, hydrogen, methane, nitrogen, helium, and other gases. Existing techniques for helium extraction can be adapted for hydrogen, opening new avenues for utilizing these multi-component resources.
White hydrogen is particularly attractive due to its lower extraction costs compared to green hydrogen, which is produced through water electrolysis. Geological processes facilitate the extraction of natural hydrogen, making it significantly cheaper; for instance, the Mali project reports production costs of about $0.50 per kilogram for white hydrogen, versus approximately $6 per kilogram for green hydrogen.
This economic advantage has garnered interest from several countries, including France, where exploration licenses have been issued for white hydrogen deposits. Promising research has emerged from areas like Lorraine and the Atlantic Pyrenees. With its abundant natural resources, Russia could become a key player in the white hydrogen market if projects in Eastern Siberia and Yakutia succeed.
Globally, only a handful of white hydrogen deposits have been identified, notably in the U.S., Turkey, Japan, Iceland, and Oman. Geological studies suggest that white hydrogen tends to accumulate in specific fault and rift zones, similar to the geological characteristics found in the Kovykta and Chayanda fields.
While the extraction of white hydrogen is still in the research phase, successful initiatives in Mali and France indicate the potential for significant benefits. If commercialized, Russia could produce hydrogen affordably for both domestic use and export.
However, Gazprom faces challenges in realizing natural hydrogen projects. Currently, the gas has not been discovered in sufficient quantities for stable industrial extraction. Additionally, new technical solutions are necessary to isolate hydrogen from complex gas mixtures. The existing membrane setup used for helium extraction at Kovykta may serve as a prototype for future hydrogen separation efforts.
Despite these hurdles, Gazprom is committed to exploring this potential, recognizing that natural hydrogen could play a crucial role in decarbonization efforts. If commercial extraction proves feasible, white hydrogen could emerge as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective resource, positively impacting the company’s carbon footprint and enhancing Russia’s competitiveness in the global market.
Since actively engaging in hydrogen energy in 2020, Gazprom has prioritized hydrogen as a key element in its decarbonization strategy, especially in light of shifts in the global energy market since 2022. Currently, the company produces around 350,000 tons of hydrogen annually for internal use, aligning with global hydrogen trends.
In this context, white hydrogen from Eastern Siberia and Yakutia could become an essential energy source and a significant driver of Gazprom’s environmental and economic transformation. Should the company overcome the associated technological and logistical challenges, it could emerge as a leader in the global hydrogen economy.
Natural, or white, hydrogen presents a promising opportunity for Russia, offering a clean energy source and economic benefits. For Gazprom, this complex venture could position the company at the forefront of natural hydrogen, paving the way for a new direction in the energy market.
