Surveys begin on Australian natural hydrogen and helium project

Prominence Energy (PRM) has begun surveying a 64,000km² area in South Australia for natural hydrogen and helium deposits.

The initial field survey at the Gawler project – permitted by a Petroleum Exploration Licence 803 awarded to the company in August 2025 – aims to measure hydrogen, helium, and methane concentrations to identify active subsurface gas systems.

The Perth-based oil and gas exploration firm said the initial surveys were a “low-cost” way to evaluate the large area and develop geochemical datasets for integration with geological models aimed at sub-surface gas detection.

It follows Gawler’s first geochemical survey undertaken in February.

This phase of exploring the site, located in central South Australia’s Gawler Craton, will run over the coming weeks before the next prospective stage of activity, typically validation and drilling preparation.

According to PRM, the location’s conditions include iron-rich lithologies favourable for hydrogen and helium generation.

Prominence Energy CEO, Dr Krista Davies, said the project has the potential to supplement increasing demand for hydrogen as a low-carbon energy source, and helium, which has seen recent supply constraints worldwide.

Natural hydrogen, also known as geologic or white hydrogen, is formed by geological processes. It has drawn attention for its potential to deliver large volumes of low-carbon hydrogen at low-cost. However, its extraction remains relatively novel.

Geological uncertainty, a lack of proven exploration techniques, and unclear economics give white hydrogen a dubious outlook compared to green and blue hydrogen.

Additionally, regulation around natural hydrogen remains undeveloped, environmental impacts are not yet fully understood, and infrastructure is often lacking in prospective regions.

The announcement also comes with global helium supply having taken a hit as Qatar’s LNG production  shut down a third of the world’s helium supplies, impacting trade globally.

While challenges involving geological risk, project financing, and long development timelines persist around natural helium extraction, new entrants and exploration models are emerging.