At the recent EAGE conference and exhibition in Oslo, Norway, the HyAfrica team presented their first findings on the Tendrara Basin in Eastern Morocco, showcasing a novel approach to understanding the geological conditions necessary for natural hydrogen occurrence.
Led by the LIAG Institute for Applied Geophysics (Hannover, Germany), in collaboration with the Université Mohammed Premier (Oujda, Morocco) and Getech Group plc (Leeds, UK), the study introduced a cutting-edge workflow. This method leverages the inversion of geophysical data – specifically gravimetric and magnetic anomalies – to construct a three-dimensional geological model of the region.
The workflow’s true innovation lies in its ability to quantify hydrogen production resulting from serpentinization. By integrating subsurface temperature information and existing data from laboratory analyses and numerical studies on hydrogen production through water-rock interaction, the team has paved the way for more comprehensive hydrogen system models.
The Tendrara Basin, identified by project coordinator Converge! (Évora, Portugal) and supported by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM; Rabat, Morocco), served as the perfect testing ground for this groundbreaking approach.
The presentation at the 85th EAGE Annual Meeting, Europe’s largest multidisciplinary geoscience event, generated considerable buzz. With nearly 6,000 visitors from around the globe, including leading companies and institutions, the conference provided an ideal platform for showcasing HyAfrica’s work. The dedicated session on natural hydrogen – a first for the conference – further underscored the growing importance of this field.
As part of the EU Horizon 2020 LEAP-RE project, HyAfrica continues to drive innovation in renewable energy research, fostering collaboration between the European Union and the African Union. The team’s work not only advances our understanding of natural hydrogen but also brings us one step closer to harnessing this promising clean energy source.
