US firm begins world's first field test of engineered mineral hydrogen

Vema Hydrogen, a Houston-based startup, has initiated the world’s first field test of its engineered mineral hydrogen (EMH) technology by drilling pilot wells in Quebec. EMH aims to produce clean hydrogen at a cost below $1 per kilogram by accelerating natural geochemical reactions in specific rock formations like ophiolites and Banded Iron Formations (BIFs). This approach leverages naturally occurring subsurface hydrogen generation, which is typically slow, by using catalysts to control and speed up the process. The targeted rock formations are abundant, potentially providing hydrogen supplies for thousands of years, and are often located near existing industrial centers, facilitating easier adoption. The pilot wells in Quebec represent a critical step from laboratory experiments to real-world application, allowing Vema to analyze subsurface fluid movement and hydrogen production to refine their models and plan commercialization. The company has also secured an agreement to supply clean hydrogen to California data centers, where large ophiolite formations exist, aiming to produce hydrogen at about 50