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Prospectivity Mapping for Geologic Hydrogen

Professional Paper 1900
Energy Resources Program
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1900

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Abstract

Geologic, or naturally occurring, hydrogen has the potential to become a new, low-carbon, primary energy resource. Often referred to as “white” or “gold” hydrogen, this gas occurs naturally in the Earth’s subsurface, similar to petroleum resources. However, unlike petroleum, which releases carbon dioxide when burned, burning hydrogen only produces water as a byproduct. Exploration for geologic hydrogen remains in an early stage and discoveries of high concentrations of subsurface hydrogen are still relatively rare. To facilitate research and exploration for this potential resource, this report presents the first publicly available prospectivity map of geologic hydrogen accumulations in the conterminous United States. Prospective regions are those regions in which all major components necessary for a hydrogen accumulation likely are present—a source of sufficient hydrogen generation, porous reservoirs for storage, and seals to prevent leakage. The midcontinent region of the United States and the central California coast are revealed as having high prospectivity. This analysis also identifies previously unrecognized prospective regions that may be favorable due to long distance lateral migration of subsurface hydrogen, such as the offshore eastern seaboard of the United States, and can provide a linkage between surface observations of hydrogen degassing and far-field source regions. The methodology developed to create this map is expandable and flexible and may be adapted to incorporate new concepts in the hydrogen system and for application to other regions of the world.

Suggested Citation

Gelman, S.E., Hearon, J.S., and Ellis, G.S., 2025, Prospectivity mapping for geologic hydrogen (ver. 1.1, January 17, 2025): U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1900, 43 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/pp1900.

ISSN: 2330-7102 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Purpose and Scope
  • Hydrogen System Components
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Supplementary Figures
  • Appendix 2. Matlab Script to Calculate Prospectivity
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Prospectivity mapping for geologic hydrogen
Series title Professional Paper
Series number 1900
DOI 10.3133/pp1900
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston VA
Contributing office(s) Central Energy Resources Science Center
Description Report: iv, 43 p.; Data Release
Country United States
Other Geospatial conterminous United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details