Research Projects

Clean energy resources are getting priorities for government agencies across the globe such as geothermal, hydro, bioenergy, battery technology, green hydrogen, geological/natural hydrogen, etc. Geothermal and natural hydrogen would be a continuous supplier of energy without external factors from subsurface formation. Green hydrogen is not economical (five times costlier) when compared with natural hydrogen. Commercial scale production of natural hydrogen is reported in Mali while exploration strategy of this natural resource is at early stage in different Basins. This research theme evolved to develop natural hydrogen exploration workflow and improve our understanding about the geological play system. Primary sources of native H2 can be classified into two categories (i) degassing of H2 from Earth’s core and/or mantle (ii) geological hydrogen generation by biotic and abiotic process. In the presence of natural fractures, geological hydrogen seeps through rock formation and formed semi-circular depressions (SCDs) at the surface (iron-bearing rocks (BIF, greenstone belts), as well as granitic and sedimentary rocks) have been registered in Brazil, Oman, Australia, USA, Russia through satellite images. Before any field work, automatic screening of SCDs is planned from satellite images by applying deep learning object detection algorithms in India. To prove the concept of natural H2 seepage at surface, field survey is planned in specific location of the Singhbhum Craton, a well-studied craton holding a large-scale BIF of sedimentary origin (mainly), in the Paleo- to Meso-Archean Greenstone terrains of India. These BIFs are hosted by the Iron Ore Group along with mafic-felsic volcanic rocks, ultramafic rocks, chert, shale, and minor carbonates. With the above understanding of basic regional geology, systematic soil-gas sampling, geochemical analysis of sediment stream and water sampling, and outcrop collection of relevant rock types are planned. Laboratory experiments such as geochemistry, mineralogy, petrography, petrophysical properties (density, porosity, magnetic susceptibility) of outcrop samples are being considered to get clarity on rock type, mineral composition, and possible geological source mechanism of native H2. UAV survey with drone would help in 3D outcrop model building incorporating small scale faults/lineament/fractures in the study area. Combination of geophysical, geological and geochemistry data can support in improving our understanding of hydrogen play system, source mechanism as well as preparing a conceptual geological model. Identification of natural hydrogen hotspots, and creation of an exploration workflow will allow future exploration program, development planning of new energy source in India. This may lead to further discussion, preparation of policy framework, and energy independence for the country.