Researchers from
the Petroleum Technology Research Center (PTRC), University of Regina,
Saskatchewan Geological Survey, Colorado School of Mines, and the
mineral-producing company MAX Power convened in Regina, Saskatchewan, convened
a “working session” with natural hydrogen experts this month, including a visit
to the Lawson drill site, near Central Butte, along what they call the Genesis
Trend. The session is meant to advance knowledge and cooperation regarding
exploration, drilling, and producing natural hydrogen in Saskatchewan and
around the world.
“Mr. Mansoor Jan, MAX Power CEO, commented: “To have
these Natural Hydrogen experts gathered in one room, and then at the drill
site, including Dr. Li and other researchers from the Colorado School of Mines,
is another example of MAX Power’s sector leadership. This collaborative effort
will further accelerate the timeline to bring Natural Hydrogen to the
commercialization stage.”
The Genesis Trend forms one of
several “land packages” being worked by MAX Power. They have a robust
geological exploration model, and the total prospective area could be sizable.
The Genesis Trend is about 200 km by 75km, with multiple structures with
closure and the other elements required for natural hydrogen generation,
accumulation, trapping, and sealing.
The Lawson well is targeting the Basal Cambrian "Deadwood" Sands. One uncertainty is the porosity and permeability of the sandstone, although interpreted seismic attributes indicate it should be adequate.
Some of the geological models and explanations are shown below.
MAX Power also
emphasizes its acreage location near the Regina-Moose Jaw industrial corridor
with a network of roads and airports nearby. There is also a refinery in the
area that utilizes hydrogen. The company also points out that hydrogen is often
found as a component of other valuable noble gases, including helium, which has
a high market value and should be considered prospective as well. They note the
presence of natural hydrogen in some local wells, including water wells, that
likely migrated up from a deeper and more concentrated source. If natural hydrogen is found in the commercial quantities that might be expected, it could be brought to market at up to 1/4 the cost of the cheapest steam methane reformed hydrogen, without the equivalent emissions, at less than 1/6 the cost of the cheapest carbon-mitigated blue hydrogen, and at much less than 1/10 the cost of green hydrogen, made from electrolysis of water.
It should be interesting to
see how this play pans out. The company is involved in several other regional
exploratory natural hydrogen evaluation projects. Projects are located in
Quebec, Ontario, and Texas. In Texas, in collaboration with Larin Engineering
HHC, they did a comprehensive regional study of natural hydrogen for the entire
state. They think they have found prospective areas. The importance of Texas
for natural hydrogen is enhanced by the state’s existing vast network of
hydrogen pipelines associated with the production of hydrogen and delivery to
refineries and petrochemical plants. Texas is the biggest producer of grey
hydrogen, produced from the steam reforming of methane.
References:
MAX
Power Brings Together Leading Natural Hydrogen Experts for Technical
Collaboration and Drill Site Visit. Press Release. MAX Power. Business Insider.
November 10, 2025. MAX
Power Brings Together Leading Natural Hydrogen Experts for Technical
Collaboration and Drill Site Visit | Markets Insider
MAX
Power: Canada's Leader in Natural Hydrogen Exploration & Development: A
Critical Element Rapidly Emerging as the First New Primary Energy Source in
Decades. Investor Presentation. October 3, 2025. MaxPowerMining
MAX Power
Confirms Lead Target for Canada’s First Dedicated Natural Hydrogen Well. MAX
Power. Press Release. September 30, 2025. MAX
POWER CONFIRMS LEAD TARGET FOR CANADA’S FIRST DEDICATED NATURAL HYDROGEN WELL –
Max Power
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