Gold Hydrogen Ltd (ASX:GHY) has spudded the Ramsay 2 well, part of its flagship Ramsay Natural Hydrogen Project in South Australia, achieving a milestone with the detection of hydrogen across the entire Parara Limestone section.
Surface casing was set at 192 metres over the weekend and hydrogen has so far been detected across the entire Parara Limestone section at shallow depths.
Wireline logs were run in the first 100 metres of the well below the surface casing and MDT samples were also recovered.
The MDT samples and other preliminary mud gas samples have been sent to a third-party laboratory for analysis.
Gold Hydrogen managing director Neil McDonald said: “The MDT results are exciting for us as they demonstrate that the limestone has suitable porosity and permeability to allow natural hydrogen to be produced.
“Although early days, this result is likely to lead to Australia’s first natural hydrogen discovery.”
Hydrogen detected at shallow depths
Initial drilling efforts reached a depth of 700 metres, with hydrogen detected at shallow levels from the outset.
The decision to halt drilling at 290 metres to conduct wireline logs resulted in the recovery of four downhole samples showing elevated hydrogen levels.
This discovery aligns with the previous findings at Ramsay 1 and the historical Ramsay Oil Bore, reinforcing the area's potential as a natural hydrogen accumulation zone.
While these findings are preliminary, they bolster Gold Hydrogen's confidence in its ability to establish a new natural hydrogen gas province.
That said, the company acknowledges the geological and development risks, including hydrogen presence and recovery challenges, and the project's location in sensitive agricultural and national park areas.
Despite these concerns, global and governmental support for hydrogen as an alternative energy source offers a positive outlook for addressing these issues.
Strategic focus
The company’s dedication to discovering and developing natural hydrogen gas in South Australia is unwavering. The region, newly identified for its natural hydrogen potential, positions the company uniquely in the market at a time of increasing demand.
Gold Hydrogen boasts tenure over a comprehensive exploration area, including a granted petroleum exploration licence, and it has several applications for exploration licences pending.
Hydrogen's role as an alternative energy source is gaining traction worldwide. With the increasing need for sustainable and clean energy solutions, the company believes its efforts in natural hydrogen exploration are timely and significant.
Gold Hydrogen eagerly awaits the results of further testing and analysis, which will provide more clarity on the project's direction and the potential scale of hydrogen resources in the region.