Production rates of white hydrogen<br />Assist. Prof. Malik Mustafa Mohammed<br />SDG 4: Quality Education<br />SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy<br />SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure<br />As of 2024, white hydrogen — referring to naturally occurring hydrogen found in underground geological reservoirs — is not yet produced at a commercial or industrial scale in any developed country. Therefore, there are no official statistics on annual production rates for white hydrogen like those that exist for fossil fuels or industrially produced hydrogen (gray, blue, or green).<br /> Why There Is No Measured Annual Production:<br />1. White Hydrogen is Still in Exploration Phase :<br /> - Natural hydrogen occurrences have been identified in various parts of the world (e.g., France, the U.S., Russia, Japan, Oman), but these are mostly in exploratory or pilot project stages.<br /> - No large-scale extraction or commercial production infrastructure exists yet.<br />2. Lack of Standardized Reporting:<br /> - Governments and energy agencies (like the IEA, EIA, or Eurostat) do not currently track natural hydrogen as a separate category in their energy reports.<br />3. Not Yet Integrated into Energy Markets:<br /> - White hydrogen is not part of national or international energy supply chains, so no formal production volumes are recorded.<br /> Examples of Early-Stage Projects<br />Here are some examples of countries exploring white hydrogen:<br /> 🇫🇷 France<br />- In the Lorraine region, natural hydrogen has been found in high concentrations.<br />- Hydroniq, a French startup, and other companies are conducting test drilling and feasibility studies.<br />- The French government has shown interest in developing this resource as part of its clean energy strategy.<br /> # 🇺🇸 United States<br />- In Kansas, small amounts of natural hydrogen were discovered during oil and gas exploration.<br />- Research institutions like the University of Oklahoma are studying potential natural hydrogen resources.<br /> # 🇴🇲 Oman<br />- Oman’s ophiolite formations (ultramafic rocks) produce hydrogen via serpentinization.<br />- It's considered one of the most promising regions for future natural hydrogen development.<br /> Future Outlook<br />While no production numbers exist today, experts estimate that natural hydrogen could become viable within the next 10–20 years , especially if:<br />- Exploration technologies improve.<br />- Economically recoverable reserves are confirmed.<br />- Supportive policies and investment emerge.<br />Some estimates suggest that global natural hydrogen resources could be vast , potentially rivaling or exceeding conventional fossil fuel reserves in energy content.<br /> Comparison with Industrial Hydrogen Production<br />To put this in context, here are approximate global and national hydrogen production figures (mostly gray and some green/blue):<br />Source Global Production (approx.) Notes <br />Gray Hydrogen ~95 million metric tons/year From natural gas, coal<br />Green Hydrogen ~100,000 – 500,000 tons/year Electrolysis using renewables<br />White Hydrogen 0 (commercial scale) Still under exploration<br /><br /><br /> Conclusion<br />As of now, there is no measurable annual production rate of white hydrogen in any developed country. It remains an emerging concept with significant research and exploration underway. If discoveries prove commercially viable, we may see pilot projects scaling up in the coming decade.<br />"Al-Mustaqbal University – The No. 1 Private University in Iraq"<br />