NATURAL (GEOLOGICAL) HYDROGEN AS A NEW MINERAL RESOURCE: CURRENT STATE, CHALLENGES, PROSPECTS, RISKS

Abstract

Hydrogen is increasingly being mentioned as one of the key elements of energy security for developed countries. According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), global demand for hydrogen reached 100 million tons in 2024 and continues to grow. Hydrogen is becoming key to green transition energy strategies to ensure CO2 emissions reduction. Carbon-free hydrogen production is one of the defining elements of the global energy transition, but it requires expensive technological solutions.Industrial extraction of natural hydrogen of various origins (e.g., white, gold hydrogen) will contribute to reducing the use of fossil fuels (gas, coal), which emit large amounts of CO2. Such hydrogen will enable a rapid and economically less costly transition to a decarbonized economy with reduced carbon emissions or achieve a neutral balance compared to green hydrogen production.Of particular importance is geological, or so-called “white,” hydrogen of natural origin, which has significant potential to provide the country with inexpensive carbon-free energy. Natural hydrogen H2, as a new mineral resource and renewable energy source, could become a potentially cheap alternative for future developments in the carbon-free economy in Europe and other countries around the world if deposits are discovered and commercially exploited.This article analyzes the current state, trends, and prospects for the search and exploration of natural (geological or white) hydrogen in European and other countries based on published research results in articles and other available data sources. Its importance as a mineral resource is demonstrated, as well as its place and significance among other types of hydrogen from the so-called “hydrogen rainbow”.A major achievement and significant progress for Ukraine is that it has become a country where “natural hydrogen” was officially included in the list of minerals of national importance in 2025. That is why it has become urgent to resolve issues related to search criteria, geological hydrogen exploration, research into potential natural reservoirs, prospects, and the risks of extraction, storage, and transportation.The article highlights the possibilities of searching for geological hydrogen as an alternative mineral resource, demonstrates current achievements, possible future prospects for search and exploration, and risks, based on hydrogen trends and achievements in European countries and other regions of the world.Natural (geological) hydrogen will play an important role in the future as a renewable energy source with no emissions or CO2 neutrality. White hydrogen could become an alternative to expensive hydrogen production using various renewable sources, or where it is not possible to develop infrastructure for green hydrogen.Successful industrial production of geological (white) hydrogen will be able to replace part of the demand for hydrogen and reduce the demand for natural gas in many areas of energy, industry, and transport.