Prospects for the Exploration and Development of Natural Hydrogen in China

Abstract
Figure/Table
References
Related Citation (0)

Download: PDF (4475 KB) HTML (1 KB)
Export: BibTeX | EndNote (RIS)

Abstract As a primary energy source with such advantages as low development costs and carbon-free emissions, natural hydrogen holds immense potential for China’s clean energy revolution. This study reviews global cases of natural hydrogen exploration and concludes that the water-rock reaction in iron-rich rock is the most significant source of natural hydrogen generation. Natural hydrogen is primarily found in geological settings such as subduction zones, rift zones, and banded iron formations (BIFs) from the Precambrian era. Based on the distribution of these three geological environments, the most promising zones for natural hydrogen exploration in China are pointed out, including the intracontinental rift zones in Songliao Basin, overlap area of BIFs and the extensional basin of the North China Craton, developed zones of BIFs and large igneous provinces in Tarim Craton, southwest margin of Yangtze Plate, and Sanshui Basin.

Published: 13 January 2025

	Service

	E-mail this article
	Add to my bookshelf
	Add to citation manager
	E-mail Alert
	RSS
	Articles by authors

Cite this article:

URL:

http://www.coag.com.cn/EN/ OR http://www.coag.com.cn/EN/Y2024/V31/I5/3

[1]	Prinzhofer A, Tahara Cissé CS, Diallo AB. Discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Bourakebougou (Mali)[J/OL]. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43(42): 19315- 19326.
[2]	Zgonnik V. The occurrence and geoscience of natural hydrogen: A comprehensive review[J/OL]. Earth- Science Reviews, 2020, 203: 103140.
[3]	Klein F, Tarnas JD, Bach W. Abiotic sources of molecular hydrogen on Earth [J/OL]. Elements, 2020, 16(1): 19-24.
[4]	Templeton AS, Ellison ET, Kelemen PB, et al. Low-temperature hydrogen production and consumption in partially-hydrated peridotites in Oman: implications for stimulated geological hydrogen production[J/OL]. Frontiers in Geochemistry, 2024, 2: 1366268.
[5]	Hosg?mez H, Etiope G, Yalcin MN. New evidence for a mixed inorganic and organic origin of the Olympic Chimaera fire (Turkey): a large onshore seepage of abiogenic gas[J/OL]. Geofluids, 2008, 8(4): 263-273.
[6]	Guélard J, Beaumont V, Rouchon V, et al. Natural H2 in Kansas: Deep or shallow origin? [J/OL]. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2017, 18(5): 1841-1865.
[7]	Roche V, Geymond U, Boka-mene M, et al. A new continental hydrogen play in Damara Belt (Namibia)[J/OL]. Scientific Reports, 2024, 14(1): 11655.
[8]	Moretti I, Geymond U, Pasquet G, et al. Natural hydrogen emanations in Namibia: Field acquisition and vegetation indexes from multispectral s a t e l l i t e i m a g e a n a l y s i s[J/OL ] . International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47(84): 35588-35607.
[9]	Dou L, Liu H, Li B, et al. Global natural hydrogen exploration and development situation and prospects in China [J]. Lithologic Reservoirs, 2024, CHINA OIL & GAS No.5, 2024 10
36	(2):1-14.
[10]	Jin Z, Zhang P, Liu R, et al. Discovery of anomalous hydrogen leakage sites in the Sanshui Basin, South China[J/OL]. Science Bulletin, 2024, 69(9): 1217-1220.
[11]	Sun L, Feng Z, Jiang H, et al. Geological survey and study of hydrogen-rich natural gas in Songliao Basin[J]. Petroleum Geology & Oilfield Development in Daqing, 2024, 43 (3): 7-16.
[12]	Lefeuvre N, Truche L, Donzé F, et al. Native H2 exploration in the Western Pyrenean foothills[J/OL]. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 2021, 22(8).
[13]	Truche L, Donzé FV, Goskolli E, et al. A deep reservoir for hydrogen drives intense degassing in the Bulqiz?ophiolite[J/OL]. Science, 2024, 383(6683): 618-621.
[14]	Vacquand C, Deville E, Beaumont V, et al. Reduced gas seepages in ophiolitic complexes: Evidences for multiple origins of the H2-CH4-N2 gas mixtures[J/ OL]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2018, 223: 437-461.
[15]	Leong JA, Nielsen M, Mcqueen N, et al. H2 and CH4 outgassing rates in the Samail ophiolite, Oman: Implications for low-temperature, continental serpentinization rates[J/OL]. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 2023, 347: 1-15.
[16]	Han S, Tang Z, Wang C, et al. Hydrogen-rich gas discovery in continental scientific drilling project of Songliao Basin, Northeast China: new insights into deep Earth exploration[J/OL]. Science Bulletin, 2022, 67(10): 1003-1006.
[17]	Jin Z, Zhang P, Liu R, et al. Discovery of anomalous hydrogen leakage sites in the Sanshui Basin, South China[J/OL]. Science Bulletin, 2024, 69(9): 1217-1220.
[18]	Pan G, Lu S, Xiao Q, et al. Division of tectonic stages and tectonic evolution in China. Earth Science Frontiers, 2016, 23(6):001-023.
[19]	Zhang LC, Zhai MG, Wan YS, et al. Study of the Precambrian BIF-iron deposits in the North China Craton: Progresses and questions. Acta petrologica Sinica, 2012, 28(11):3434- 3445.
[20]	Zhang K. Depositional genesis and environment of the Paleoproterozoic Astingbulake Iron Formations from the Quruqtagh Block, northeast Tarim Craton [D/OL].Chang’an University, 2023.
[21]	Ye H, Wu C Z, Yang T, et al. Updating the geologic barcodes for South China: Discovery of Late Archean banded iron formations in the Yangtze Craton[J/OL]. Scientific Reports, 2017, 7(1): 15082.
[22]	Shen B, Yang C, Zhai A, et al. Temporal and spatial distribution of Precambrian mineral deposits in China [J]. Mineral Deposits, 2004, 23(S1): 62-70.
[23]	Zhang Z, Li H, Li J, et al. Geological settings and metallogenesis of high-grade iron deposits in China. Science China Earth Sciences, 2021, 64(5): 691–715.
[24]	Zhao W, Zou C, Feng Z, et al. Geological features and evaluation techniques of deep-seated volcanic gas reservoirs, Songliao Basin. Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2008, 35(2): 129–142.
[25]	Li S, Hung Y, Feng Y, et al. Cenozoic extension and strike-slip tectonics and fault structures in the Eastern Sag, Liaohe Depression. Chinese. Geophys. (in Chinese), 2020, 63(2):612-626.
[26]	Xu Y, He B, Luo Z, et al. Study on mantle plume and large igneous provinces in China: An overview and perspectives. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry, 2013, 32(1): 25-39.