Energy Transition
Energy Transition | Hydrogen
Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Format and Duration:
3 days
5 sessions
In order to change the present-day energy system towards net zero emissions, alternative energy resources need to be developed replacing wood, coal, oil and gas. One of the recent new findings in the Geo-Energy sector is that hydrogen can be found in many places around the globe as natural seeps, similar to what has been observed for oil and gas since many centuries. Many indications point towards a major clean energy resource of the future considering that in the last few years some 300 natural H2 seeps have been reported and are exponentially rising. The first H2 exploration companies have formed and the first wells targeting H2 have been drilled, including a long-term production test in Nebraska. The objective of this course is to introduce natural hydrogen as a potential future clean energy resource and how to explore for it as it may become the next game changer in the energy industry providing a clean and sustainable solution for part of the global energy demand.
Schedule
Duration and Training Method
This is an instructor-led course comprising a mixture of lectures, exercises, case studies, discussions and feedback sessions. The course follows the discover, ask and learn approach. The course can also be provided in person or online as required.
Course Overview
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to
- Understand the role of different ‘colours’ of hydrogen.
- Have a global overview of current hydrogen production and consumption.
- Be familiar with hydrogen development projects.
- Understand the global distribution of natural hydrogen seeps.
- Understand the concept of hydrogen exploration.
- Understand the main subsurface uncertainties in hydrogen exploration.
- Discuss the key challenges and risks of hydrogen exploration and development.
- Address the role of geoscientists in developing hydrogen as a future energy resource.
Course Content
This course provides an overview on hydrogen as an energy resource and the various ‘colours’ of hydrogen. However, natural (white) hydrogen was until now not considered in the developments around the future energy system. This course highlights the current status of knowledge and latest developments around such a potential new energy opportunity, i.e. natural H2 exploration and production as part of the future energy mix. If further developments turn out to be successful, this could result in another unexpected game changer in the energy sector. similar to the unconventional revolution a few decades back. However, further research and investments in exploration are required to conclusively provide answer on size of the prize and feasibility of development of such a new energy resource.
Topics:
Part 1 – Overview of hydrogen in the global energy system
Part 2 – Introduction to the multiple ‘colours’ of hydrogen
Part 3 – Examples of natural hydrogen seeps
Part 4 – The hydrogen system from source to reservoir
Part 5 – Play-based Exploration and Field Development of natural hydrogen
Part 6 – Outlook on opportunities and risks in hydrogen exploration and development
Who Should Attend and Prerequisites
This course has been designed for geoscientists and energy professionals who are working on energy transition projects and optimizing the portfolio herein. It is recommended for graduate students, staff from the energy industry, as well as employees of the public sector and from regulators.
Instructors
Jürgen Grötsch
Background
Currently, Jürgen is Lecturer Geo-Energy in the Master Program at the Friedrich-Alexander University (Erlangen, Germany). He also works part-time as Assurance Consultant for the national Nuclear Waste Site Program in Germany and as Energy Transition Advisor. He is a Subsurface Data Management Consultant and Member of the OSDU™ Forum.
Jürgen has a background in carbonate sedimentology, stratigraphy and palaeoceanography. Following a brief career in academia, he worked for 31 years with Shell where he had various functions around the globe like Chief Geologist and Head of Geological Services. Since 2010 his focus was mainly on digital technology development, ultimately leading into the global subsurface data management project called OSDU™. At the end of 2022, he retired from Shell.
Jürgen has published many scientific papers and books on geoscience, the latest one is called “Digital Geology”. He has a passion for teaching and held many courses at university and within Shell’s graduate training programs. Next to work, he enjoys cycling, jazz and playing chess.
Affiliations and Accreditation
Postdoc Universität Tübingen, Germany – Carbonate sequence stratigraphy
PhD FAU, Erlangen, Germany - Cretaceous carbonate platforms
Postgraduate UC San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA – Marine geology
MSc FAU, Erlangen, Germany – Devonian conodont stratigraphy
Board Member of the Dachverband der Geowissenschaften (DVGeo), Germany
Board Member of the German Geological Society (DGGV)
Scholar and Alumni of the "Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes", Germany
SPE Distinguished Lecturer 2016/17 on carbonate reservoirs.
EAGE - Member
AAPG - Member
Courses Taught
N597: Managing Subsurface Data and More - OSDU™ Fundamentals
N665: Natural Hydrogen Exploration
N667: An Introduction to Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Accreditation and Certification
CEU: 2.1 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 21 Professional Development Hours
Certificate: Certificate Issued Upon Completion
RPS is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. We comply with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognised internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices.
We issue a Certificate of Attendance which verifies the number of training hours attended. Our courses are generally accepted by most professional licensing boards/associations towards continuing education credits. Please check with your licensing board to determine if the courses and certificate of attendance meet their specific criteria.