Gold Hydrogen Ltd is drilling the first dedicated natural hydrogen exploration well in Australia. The company has an exploration license (PEL) for the Yorke Penisula and Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Hydrogen was discovered by chance in this region during hydrocarbon exploration in the 1930’s. However, its value was not recognised at the time and the wells were abandoned due to the minimal presence of fossil fuels.
Gold Hydrogen’s first prospect is the Ramsay-1 well on the Yorke Peninsula. The well is twinning the historic Ramsay oil bore drilled in 1931. That well discovered, at 507.8 m depth, 89% H2 with the remainder being N2 and no greenhouse gases. If this find can be replicated and the reservoir shows good reserves and permeability this would be a truly remarkable find of a green energy source.
See this presentation from Gold Hydrogen for more information on the project.
The Ramsay-1 well is targeting the Cambrian Parara and Kulpara limestone formations and will tag the fractured granite basement. The granite basement is both iron and uranium-rich. This means the hydrogen can be the result of either radiolysis – splitting of water due to radiation from Uranium decay – and/or hydrolysis – oxidation of iron-rich mineral upon contact with water. The fractures in the basement and micro fractures in the limestone are expected to provide good porosity and permeability.
Positive results from the Ramsay-1 well will result in immediate drilling of Ramsay-2, 500 m to the west. Subject to the findings of this initial drilling campaign, the company is planning to test the granite basement itself as part of future exploration activities.
Independent estimates have shown that the area could hold enough gas to power the city of Adelaide for 40 years. Adelaide is situated on the other side of the St Vincent Gulf, 90 km to the east, which would make the construction of a pipeline feasible.
