The Queensland branch July meeting returned to the Port Office Hotel for an interesting talk on Hydrogen exploration from Dr Josh Whitcombe, VP of Development and Operations at HyTerra.
Josh took time to introduce the audience to the different types of hydrogen and where they might be found. He then dived into more detail about the exploration and appraisal work Hyterra are doing at their Nemaha Project in Kansas, USA.
Nemaha is located between Kansas City and Wichita in the centre of a major industrial and manufacturing hub. The project targets naturally occurring white hydrogen and associated helium which can offer lower production costs and carbon emissions than hydrogen separated from natural gas or electrolysed from water. In the project area, rainwater seeps underground where it reacts at high temperatures with iron-rich rocks to make hydrogen in a process called “rusting”.
Josh discussed the benefits of Kansas’s historical hydrocarbon activity and comparatively simple legislative framework that supports hydrocarbon exploration. Coupled with proximity to infrastructure and potential offtakers nearby including ethanol and ammonia manufacturers, it was easy to see why Hyterra are so excited about their exploration acreage which covers approximately 72,500 acres.
The talk triggered some excellent discussion, particularly about opportunities to support hydrogen exploration in Australia over another delicious meal at the Port Office Hotel.
