Chapter 19 Various elements of a potential hydrogen system in Saudi Arabia
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Manzar Fawad
Abstract
Natural or “white” hydrogen (H₂), a promising clean energy source with the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, has emerged. While exploration efforts have traditionally focused on conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs, reports of H2 encounters while drilling for hydrocarbon in Australia and France and the recent discovery of natural H₂natural H₂ accumulations in Mali point toward new possibilities for carbon-free energy production. With its vast geological diversity and unique tectonic setting, Saudi Arabia presents a compelling prospect for natural H₂ exploration. This study discusses the various elements comprising a potential H₂ System resulting in H₂ accumulations in Saudi Arabia, while leveraging existing geological and geophysical information. We identify key reservoir-seal pairs and regions exhibiting favorable H₂ generationH₂ generation and entrapmententrapment conditions by integrating relevant maps, cross sections, and subsurface temperature estimates. Our analysis highlights promising areas with ophiolitic source rocks, structural traps, and proximity to the potential kitchen areas. This assessment is a foundation for future exploration efforts, guiding targeted field surveys, geochemical sampling, and exploratory drilling campaigns. Identifying natural H₂ resources in Saudi Arabia could profoundly impact the nation’s energy landscape, contributing significantly to its energy transition and global efforts to combat climate change.
Abstract
Natural or “white” hydrogen (H₂), a promising clean energy source with the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, has emerged. While exploration efforts have traditionally focused on conventional hydrocarbon reservoirs, reports of H2 encounters while drilling for hydrocarbon in Australia and France and the recent discovery of natural H₂natural H₂ accumulations in Mali point toward new possibilities for carbon-free energy production. With its vast geological diversity and unique tectonic setting, Saudi Arabia presents a compelling prospect for natural H₂ exploration. This study discusses the various elements comprising a potential H₂ System resulting in H₂ accumulations in Saudi Arabia, while leveraging existing geological and geophysical information. We identify key reservoir-seal pairs and regions exhibiting favorable H₂ generationH₂ generation and entrapmententrapment conditions by integrating relevant maps, cross sections, and subsurface temperature estimates. Our analysis highlights promising areas with ophiolitic source rocks, structural traps, and proximity to the potential kitchen areas. This assessment is a foundation for future exploration efforts, guiding targeted field surveys, geochemical sampling, and exploratory drilling campaigns. Identifying natural H₂ resources in Saudi Arabia could profoundly impact the nation’s energy landscape, contributing significantly to its energy transition and global efforts to combat climate change.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- Editorial note XI
- Contributing authors XIII
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Part I: Geological foundations of natural hydrogen
- Chapter 1 Evaluating natural hydrogen systems through the lens of petroleum exploration 1
- Chapter 2 Subsurface natural H2 systems: some lessons from drilling results 47
- Chapter 3 Natural hydrogen exploration: some similarities and differences with oil and gas exploration 75
- Chapter 4 Geological and geochemical pathways of onshore natural hydrogen generation 105
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Part II: Natural hydrogen generation mechanisms
- Chapter 5 Shallow peridotites at magma-poor rifted margins: occurrences, serpentinization, and H2 generation 131
- Chapter 6 Exploring natural hydrogen in the oldest nuclei of continents: why do cratons matter? 163
- Chapter 7 A possible origin of organic natural hydrogen 201
- Chapter 8 Natural hydrogen and the primordially hydridic earth concept 239
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Part III: Hydrogen exploration and detection techniques
- Chapter 9 Rock physics for quantitative geophysical interpretation of natural hydrogen resources 267
- Chapter 10 The potential geophysical responses of trapped natural hydrogen gas 297
- Chapter 11 The development of an airborne, stand-off detection instrument for hydrogen gas 325
- Chapter 12 Surface gas geochemical exploration for natural hydrogen: uncertainties and holistic interpretation 347
- Chapter 13 Natural hydrogen favorability maps (NHFMs): a new concept for natural hydrogen exploration in different geological contexts 367
- Chapter 14 Numerical simulation of hydrogen phase equilibrium and migration at basin scale 385
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Part IV: Global case studies and regional insights
- Chapter 15 Natural hydrogen exploration in Brazil: from theory to fieldwork case studies 417
- Chapter 16 Natural hydrogen in China: geological insights and exploration prospects 447
- Chapter 17 Potential occurrence and reservoirs of natural hydrogen based on the geological and tectonic setting of the Korean Peninsula 471
- Chapter 18 Natural hydrogen in Japan: general generation mechanisms, current work, and perspectives 491
- Chapter 19 Various elements of a potential hydrogen system in Saudi Arabia 513
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Part V: Hydrogen storage, transportation, and environmental and technological challenges
- Chapter 20 Underground hydrogen storage lessons for natural hydrogen systems 537
- Chapter 21 Assessment of hydrogen storage in salt caverns in Oman 563
- Chapter 22 Advancements and challenges in the transportation of natural hydrogen 581
- Chapter 23 Environmental impacts of hydrogen production and usage 607
- Chapter 24 Drilling, construction, and completion of natural hydrogen exploration and production wells: emphasizing long-term well integrity 645
- Chapter 25 Effect of salt on rock wettability and gas interactions in natural hydrogen reservoirs 681
- Index 699
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- Editorial note XI
- Contributing authors XIII
-
Part I: Geological foundations of natural hydrogen
- Chapter 1 Evaluating natural hydrogen systems through the lens of petroleum exploration 1
- Chapter 2 Subsurface natural H2 systems: some lessons from drilling results 47
- Chapter 3 Natural hydrogen exploration: some similarities and differences with oil and gas exploration 75
- Chapter 4 Geological and geochemical pathways of onshore natural hydrogen generation 105
-
Part II: Natural hydrogen generation mechanisms
- Chapter 5 Shallow peridotites at magma-poor rifted margins: occurrences, serpentinization, and H2 generation 131
- Chapter 6 Exploring natural hydrogen in the oldest nuclei of continents: why do cratons matter? 163
- Chapter 7 A possible origin of organic natural hydrogen 201
- Chapter 8 Natural hydrogen and the primordially hydridic earth concept 239
-
Part III: Hydrogen exploration and detection techniques
- Chapter 9 Rock physics for quantitative geophysical interpretation of natural hydrogen resources 267
- Chapter 10 The potential geophysical responses of trapped natural hydrogen gas 297
- Chapter 11 The development of an airborne, stand-off detection instrument for hydrogen gas 325
- Chapter 12 Surface gas geochemical exploration for natural hydrogen: uncertainties and holistic interpretation 347
- Chapter 13 Natural hydrogen favorability maps (NHFMs): a new concept for natural hydrogen exploration in different geological contexts 367
- Chapter 14 Numerical simulation of hydrogen phase equilibrium and migration at basin scale 385
-
Part IV: Global case studies and regional insights
- Chapter 15 Natural hydrogen exploration in Brazil: from theory to fieldwork case studies 417
- Chapter 16 Natural hydrogen in China: geological insights and exploration prospects 447
- Chapter 17 Potential occurrence and reservoirs of natural hydrogen based on the geological and tectonic setting of the Korean Peninsula 471
- Chapter 18 Natural hydrogen in Japan: general generation mechanisms, current work, and perspectives 491
- Chapter 19 Various elements of a potential hydrogen system in Saudi Arabia 513
-
Part V: Hydrogen storage, transportation, and environmental and technological challenges
- Chapter 20 Underground hydrogen storage lessons for natural hydrogen systems 537
- Chapter 21 Assessment of hydrogen storage in salt caverns in Oman 563
- Chapter 22 Advancements and challenges in the transportation of natural hydrogen 581
- Chapter 23 Environmental impacts of hydrogen production and usage 607
- Chapter 24 Drilling, construction, and completion of natural hydrogen exploration and production wells: emphasizing long-term well integrity 645
- Chapter 25 Effect of salt on rock wettability and gas interactions in natural hydrogen reservoirs 681
- Index 699