Discovery of a large accumulation of natural hydrogen in Bourakebougou (Mali)

Natural hydrogen continuous emission from sedimentary basins: The example of a Brazilian H2-emitting structure

“…The only known areas of H 2 production seem to be active processes, indicating that the associated impermeable seals only act as reducers of migration drive, allowing a gas steadystate type accumulation; as proof, the flow of hydrogen effluents out of middle oceanic ridges and those found in Oman "blue-pools" [49]. In another case, such as the continental Mali zone (Africa), H 2 production has been active for the past 4 years, and the wellhead pressure is not indicating any substantial decrease with time, suggesting a continuous influx to the reservoir [37].…”

“…Known active H 2 systems and continuous H 2 seepage at the Earth's surface are characterized by the occurrence of bright, large scale "fairy circles". Several circular depressions have been described in Russia [17,18,46], in Mali [37] and in the United States [52]. In all these geographical locations, evidence of H 2 in considerable concentrations in soils, from shallow drillings, were interpreted as H 2 seeps concentrated in the circular depressions.…”

“…Geologists have recently investigated natural hydrogen sources and whether they could be naturally produced [36]. Unexpectedly, the occurrence of hydrogen in continental shallow wells has been noted, as in Mali while drilling for water [37], in oil an gas exploration in Kansas, USA [13] or in basement rocks mines [30,44]. Monitoring of H 2 -enriched natural gases leaking from mines long existed in the Kola Peninsula in Russia to prevent accidents from happening, as such gas mixture is easily combustible and explosive [29,30].…”

Natural hydrogen the fuel of the 21st century

“…1). In addition, recent observations of intra-cratonic seepages and accumulations with no obvious genetic link to ultramafic formations challenges current understanding of H2 production and fate in the crust [5][6][7]. The natural production of hydrogen is a recent area of scientific research, but little is known about H2 generation, migration, consumption and potential accumulation.…”

“…Si8O22(OH)2 + 2H2O(aq) = 9NaFe III Si2O6 + 2Fe3O4 + 6SiO2 + 5H2(gas) (2) (4) Hydrogen seepages have been recently discovered in subcircular depressions located in intra-cratonic basins with no clear association with ultramafic complexes, such as the East European craton in Russia [5], the Atlantic coastal plain in North Carolina, USA [6], or the Taoudeni basin, Mali [7]). The nature of the source is currently highly debated.…”