Glossary:Native hydrogen

Also referred to as White hydrogen or Natural hydrogen, native hydrogen is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas consisting of two bonded hydrogen atoms. It is typically sourced from the earth's mantle, under the earth's crust, or in a basement upthrust. It is produced through natural, chemical, thermal, and/or biological processes within an optimum temperature window. It migrates up through thin fissures or deep faults that penetrate the basement. Like natural gas, it either escapes to the surface or is trapped in reservoir quality rock. Due to the smaller and more mobile properties of hydrogen atoms, almost any porous or naturally fractured rock is a potential reservoir. However, the capture mechanisms are challenging and likely require thick dense shales or evaporites.