India’s Hydrocarbon Outlook 2024 207 A Report on Exploration & Production Activities White hydrogen, also known as geologic hydrogen or natural hydrogen, refers to hydrogen gas that is naturally occurring and formed through chemical and geological processes within the Earth’s crust. It has gained momentum globally, with active projects in various countries following its accidental discovery in Mali, West Africa. Unlike green or blue hydrogen, which are produced through electrolysis or steam methane reforming with carbon capture and storage (CCS), respectively, white hydrogen is extracted directly from underground reservoirs where it has naturally accumulated over time. It is considered an attractive option for hydrogen production due to its potentially lower cost and higher specific energy compared to labproduced alternatives. There are many ideas about how natural hydrogen forms. Global discoveries indicate that white hydrogen can be found in setups analogous to petroleum systems, with the difference being the source of generation, i.e., the serpentinization of olivine-rich ultramafic rocks. India has all the favorable geology for the generation of hydrogen, and its exploration can be prioritized. For example, sedimentary basins (Vindhyan, Cuddapah, Gondwana, Chhattisgarh, etc.) near major cratonic blocks (Dharwar, Singhbhum), ophiolite complexes (Himalayan region, parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Western Ghats, Nagaland, and Andaman) are promising areas for exploration. Therefore, it has become necessary to evaluate the potential of white hydrogen in India. The exploration and production methods of natural hydrogen from subsurface formations are synonymous with those of oil and gas E&P operations. In Australia, the Petroleum and Geothermal Energy (PGE) Act 2000 was amended to the Energy Resources Act, with regulatory changes to include hydrogen as a regulated substance. Over 40 licenses for exploring natural hydrogen deposits have been issued since 2021. Similarly, regulatory policy should be formed or amended for explicit exploration and production of natural hydrogen in India. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), being the nodal agency for oil and gas exploration, will take the initiative to assess
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