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ORAL PRESENTATION
Geological Setting of Natural "Gold" Hydrogen in the Pyrenees and Implications
for Exploration Worldwide
Christopher Atkinson¹, Sandra Garcia-Curiel 2, Christopher Matchette-Downes 2 and Ian Munro¹
¹ Helios Aragon Pte Ltd. Singapore
2 Helios Aragon Exploracion S.L., Madrid, Spain
Recent studies on both sides of the Pyrenean mountain belt have revealed the presence of natural free hydrogen both seeping at the surface and trapped below ground (Lefeuvre et al 2021, Atkinson et al, 2022). Lefeuvre’s paper describes the optimal geological, solubility and temperature requirements for the generation, accumulation, and preservation conditions for hydrogen from studies in the Mauleon Basin near to Sauvete Beam, France.
In our studies in the Monzen-Barbastro area of northern Spain to the south, similar conditions are also observed, in fact free hydrogen has been recorded in well bores drilled in the 1960’s (e.g., Monzon-1). The location of these hydrogen gases is suggested to be related to serpentinization of oceanic crust or upper mantle, which given the oblique collision of the Iberian and European plates at the time of the Pyrenees formation resulted in mantle obduction rather than subduction below the mountain belt.
Learnings from ongoing studies in the Pyrenees suggest the generation of natural hydrogen is not unique and assuming similar plate collisional settings exist elsewhere they too might be prospective for natural hydrogen exploration.Learnings from ongoing studies in the Pyrenees suggest the generation of natural hydrogen is not unique and assuming similar plate collisional settings exist elsewhere they too might be prospective for natural hydrogen exploration.
Lefeuvre N., L. Truchel, F-V. Donz, M. Ducoux, G. Barr, R-A. Fakoury, S. Calassou, E. C. Gaucher. (2021), Native H2 exploration in the western Pyrenean foothills, Research Gate Publication 351795693
Atkinson C.D., C. Matchette-Downes, S. Garcia-Curiel. (2022), Natural hydrogen in the Monzen-1 Well, Ebro Basin, northern Spain. In °Hydrogene et gaz rares” Geologues, Societe Geologique de France, Numero 213, Juin 2022 pp. 96-102
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Chris has over 35 years’ experience in the energy/resource sector working for both major companies (Shell, ARCO) and developing and arranging finance for his own and associates’ ventures. He was the co-founder of pda Limited which went on to become Serica Energy plc in 2004 and was also a founding investor in several other successful E&P start-up ventures between 2006-2016. In 2017 he co-founded Helios Aragon which is exploring for natural or “gold” hydrogen/helium gas in Spain and other countries.
Chris currently acts as a non-executive director of Rex International Holdings here in Singapore (SGX “REXI”) and as a board member for their subsidiary companies Lime Petroleum in Norway, Masirah Oil in Oman and Pantai Rhu Energy in Malaysia. In 2020 he was elected to the board of Far East Gold (ASX “FEG”) which is an eco-focused miner exploring for gold/copper in Indonesia.
Chris is a life member and past President (2005) of SEAPEX and holds both a BSc and PhD in Geology.
In our studies in the Monzen-Barbastro area of northern Spain to the south, similar conditions are also observed, in fact free hydrogen has been recorded in well bores drilled in the 1960’s (e.g., Monzon-1). The location of these hydrogen gases is suggested to be related to serpentinization of oceanic crust or upper mantle, which given the oblique collision of the Iberian and European plates at the time of the Pyrenees formation resulted in mantle obduction rather than subduction below the mountain belt.
Learnings from ongoing studies in the Pyrenees suggest the generation of natural hydrogen is not unique and assuming similar plate collisional settings exist elsewhere they too might be prospective for natural hydrogen exploration.Learnings from ongoing studies in the Pyrenees suggest the generation of natural hydrogen is not unique and assuming similar plate collisional settings exist elsewhere they too might be prospective for natural hydrogen exploration.
Lefeuvre N., L. Truchel, F-V. Donz, M. Ducoux, G. Barr, R-A. Fakoury, S. Calassou, E. C. Gaucher. (2021), Native H2 exploration in the western Pyrenean foothills, Research Gate Publication 351795693
Atkinson C.D., C. Matchette-Downes, S. Garcia-Curiel. (2022), Natural hydrogen in the Monzen-1 Well, Ebro Basin, northern Spain. In °Hydrogene et gaz rares” Geologues, Societe Geologique de France, Numero 213, Juin 2022 pp. 96-102
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Chris has over 35 years’ experience in the energy/resource sector working for both major companies (Shell, ARCO) and developing and arranging finance for his own and associates’ ventures. He was the co-founder of pda Limited which went on to become Serica Energy plc in 2004 and was also a founding investor in several other successful E&P start-up ventures between 2006-2016. In 2017 he co-founded Helios Aragon which is exploring for natural or “gold” hydrogen/helium gas in Spain and other countries.
Chris currently acts as a non-executive director of Rex International Holdings here in Singapore (SGX “REXI”) and as a board member for their subsidiary companies Lime Petroleum in Norway, Masirah Oil in Oman and Pantai Rhu Energy in Malaysia. In 2020 he was elected to the board of Far East Gold (ASX “FEG”) which is an eco-focused miner exploring for gold/copper in Indonesia.
Chris is a life member and past President (2005) of SEAPEX and holds both a BSc and PhD in Geology.