The hydrogen exploration well will reach a maximum depth of approximately 3,850 meters, according to the environmental documentation submitted by the company, prepared by the consulting firm Idom. The initial profile will have a diameter of between 61 and 66 centimeters and will be executed using standard machinery. The promoters emphasise that they will not use the controversial hydraulic fracturing or fracking technique, which is prohibited by Spanish and Aragonese legislation. Instead, they will employ drilling mud, which is considered an “essential element in modern technology” for conducting explorations.

The company proposes an investment of 900 million euros to commence the production of these coveted materials in 2028, thereby creating the first natural hydrogen center in Europe. This venture is expected to generate 300 direct and “highly skilled” jobs, as well as 1,500 indirect employment opportunities.

In order to make these figures a reality, the Government of Aragón has just approved the declaration of regional interest for the investment, which aims to establish the first natural hydrogen and helium hub in Aragón. In the coming weeks, a presentation event will be held in Zaragoza to showcase this private initiative.

Helios Aragón plans to produce 55,000 tons (55 million kilograms) per year of “highly competitive” hydrogen starting from 2028, when the production phase begins. This would represent 10% of Spain’s current market with just the initial reserve in Monzón. Once the underground deposit is depleted, the promoters propose to use it for the safe storage of green hydrogen at similar rates to the production.

The exploitation and commercialisation phase of the project is not viable under the current Spanish climate change legislation. Pure hydrogen, which has never been extracted in the old continent, is classified under Spanish law as a hydrocarbon (similar to oil), although its chemical composition is different. The exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons have been prohibited since 2021 by the Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition. To address this, the company proposes including the exploitation of natural hydrogen in the Spanish Mining Law, a step that France has recently taken.

This gas is referred to as “golden hydrogen” because it is rarely found in its pure form on the planet; it is usually produced from other substances. Energy experts consider it to be very competitively priced (€0.75 per kilogram), while green hydrogen, produced from renewable energy surplus, is priced between €7 and €8 per kilogram.

In the 1960s, the National Petroleum Company of Aragón (Ensapa) carried out systematic drilling in Spanish territory to locate potential oil deposits. As part of this campaign, the Monzón-1 well was drilled, located approximately one kilometre southeast of the urban area. The results obtained ruled out the existence of hydrocarbons but indicated the presence of hydrogen in two zones, although they were indirect indications since the goal of the drilling was to locate oil.

It has always been considered that the existence of free hydrogen deposits on Earth was limited due to its high volatility and its ability to combine with other elements. Recent research seems to contradict this belief, establishing that under special conditions, the accumulation of this chemical element seems to be possible. In the twenty-first century, the presence of natural hydrogen was discovered in Mali, and various studies seem to support the possibility of its existence under certain conditions.

In this context, Helios Aragón considers the possibility of conducting new research drilling to verify the presence of hydrogen in the area near the Monzón-1 well and to characterise the surrounding potential deposit area to understand its features (reservoir rock, seal, possible source areas). The project promoters state in the documentation that the selected prospecting technology “will not involve any actions related to the use of hydraulic fracturing or fracking techniques.”