MUSCAT, MARCH 27
Adding fresh momentum to efforts to tap Oman’s geologic hydrogen potential, Australian energy exploration company HyTerra Ltd has announced a partnership with ARA Natural Resources — a subsidiary of Omani upstream energy firm ARA Petroleum — to evaluate development opportunities for this emerging low-carbon resource in the Sultanate of Oman.
Geologic hydrogen, also known as natural or “white” hydrogen, is hydrogen gas that forms naturally in the Earth’s subsurface through geological processes such as water–rock reactions and can potentially be extracted as a low-carbon energy resource.
Under the MoU, the partners will jointly assess Oman’s geologic hydrogen potential by coordinating technical studies of subsurface data, evaluating regulatory and commercial frameworks, engaging key stakeholders and reviewing technologies that could support exploration and development.
The agreement sets out a structured pathway to identify viable projects and potential commercialisation options, with scope for follow-on agreements if opportunities are confirmed, alongside an 18-month exclusivity period.
In their sights is the Semail Ophiolite, which has “potential to be a world-class geologic hydrogen province”, according to HyTerra. The publicly listed Australian firm says it will leverage its expertise in exploration de-risking — spanning geophysical analysis, drilling and reservoir evaluation — to screen and rank opportunities across Oman together with ARA.
HyTerra Chief Executive Officer, Riley Kemp, commented: “Oman hosts exceptional subsurface geology, including rock systems conducive to geologic hydrogen generation. We believe it represents one of the most compelling geological settings globally and one where disciplined early evaluation can create real value. Partnering with a proven and respected Omani company like ARA provides the in-country operating capability and experience required to assess that potential rigorously”.
ARA Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer, Ola Fjeld, added: “ARA has built deep technical and operational capability across Oman's upstream sector and we see geologic hydrogen as a natural extension of that expertise into an emerging and strategically important energy source. HyTerra brings a level of technical specialisation in natural hydrogen exploration that few companies in the world can match”.
Significantly, the pact builds on Oman’s systematic assessment of its geologic hydrogen potential through coordinated efforts led by the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, working with international partners and research institutions.
Early-stage programmes focus on identifying favourable subsurface conditions — such as ophiolite formations, deep faults and ultramafic rocks — where natural hydrogen may be generated through processes like serpentinisation. National data sets, legacy oil-and-gas well logs; and new geophysical surveys are being reviewed to map prospective zones, particularly in regions like the Al Hajar Mountains.
According to experts, geologic hydrogen has the potential to make an important contribution to the growth of clean energy resources necessary to meet the global Net Zero target by 2050. Every 1 cubic kilometre of iron-rich rock can yield about 5 million tonnes of geologic hydrogen per year providing effective permeability enhancement solutions can be developed and commercialised.
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