Hydrogen is usually associated with industrial production, but hydrogen gas also occurs naturally beneath the Earth’s surface. Geological reactions involving water and iron-rich minerals can generate hydrogen over millions of years, allowing the gas to move through underground formations and, under the right geological circumstances, accumulate in reservoirs. This naturally occurring resource has attracted attention as a potential source of low-carbon energy because the hydrogen molecule already exists underground.
Koloma is a data-driven natural hydrogen exploration company that uses proprietary technology, exploration data, geochemistry, and scientific expertise to identify and produce naturally occurring hydrogen in the United States and other parts of the world. The company examines where hydrogen may have formed, how it may have migrated, and where it could have accumulated through geological research, laboratory analysis, geophysical surveys, and exploration operations.
Understanding Natural Hydrogen
Natural hydrogen forms through geological reactions that take place beneath the Earth’s surface. Iron-rich source rock can provide minerals involved in hydrogen generation, while groundwater moves through fractures and faults and reacts with minerals such as olivine and pyroxene. During a process known as serpentinization, these reactions generate hydrogen gas. The gas can then move through cracks and pores in underground rock and, where geological structures allow, become trapped beneath formations that can hold it.
This differs from manufactured hydrogen, where the hydrogen molecule must be produced from electricity, natural gas, biomass, or another feedstock. Natural hydrogen begins with exploration: identifying where the Earth has already generated hydrogen and determining whether it has accumulated in quantities that could be accessed responsibly. Koloma is focused on this exploration challenge, using scientific data to narrow large geological regions into specific areas for potential drilling.
Data-Driven Exploration
Koloma uses several geophysical techniques to examine underground formations while limiting surface disturbance. Airborne gravity and magnetic surveys can identify subsurface geological structures and variations in iron content. Passive acoustic surveys use sensors on the ground to record natural sounds from beneath the surface, while active acoustic surveys send sound waves into the ground and analyze the returning signals to map underground rock layers. Magnetotelluric surveys measure naturally occurring electromagnetic signals to gather additional information about subsurface geology.
The company’s laboratory work adds another layer of analysis. The Koloma Lab examines solid, liquid, and gas samples using advanced analytical instruments, proprietary technology, custom workflows, and real-time data processing. Information from these samples can be evaluated alongside exploration and geophysical data to build a more detailed picture of natural hydrogen systems and help identify locations that warrant further investigation.
Geological Assessment Methods
Identifying natural hydrogen deposits requires researchers to understand how the gas forms, moves through underground rock and accumulates beneath the Earth’s surface. The presence of iron-rich minerals alone does not establish that a location contains recoverable hydrogen. Geological evidence must indicate whether hydrogen-generating reactions have occurred and whether surrounding formations could allow the gas to migrate and accumulate.
Koloma begins its exploration process with geological research and data analysis across large regions. Scientists examine existing datasets and rock samples to identify areas that warrant further investigation. Geophysical surveys then provide information about underground structures, variations in iron content, and rock layers that may be associated with hydrogen generation or accumulation. These findings inform decisions about where to conduct additional fieldwork and drilling.
The company uses several surveying techniques to examine subsurface geology. Airborne gravity and magnetic surveys help identify geological structures and variations in iron content. Passive acoustic surveys record naturally occurring sounds beneath the ground, while active acoustic surveys use transmitted sound waves to map underground rock layers. Magnetotelluric surveys measure naturally occurring electromagnetic signals to provide additional information about the Earth's crust. Each technique offers a different type of geological evidence.
Laboratory analysis adds chemical and physical measurements to these observations. Koloma's laboratory examines solid samples for mineral composition, chemistry and physical properties. Liquid samples undergo analysis for chemical characteristics, biological activity and isotopic ratios, while gas samples are examined for hydrogen, other gases, noble gases and isotopic composition. These findings help researchers investigate hydrogen generation, migration pathways and potential accumulation sites.
Exploratory drilling provides another stage of verification. Koloma uses stratigraphic test wells to collect subsurface data and samples. Laboratory findings can then inform decisions about whether to drill an exploration well to investigate a potential accumulation further. This staged process allows the company to refine its geological understanding before determining whether a location warrants additional investment.
Energy and Industrial Applications
Natural hydrogen could serve as a fuel, feedstock and energy carrier across several industries. Koloma identifies potential applications including data centers, fertilizer production, sustainable aviation fuel, heavy transportation, 24/7 power generation and industrial processes where replacing existing energy sources can be difficult. Where viable underground accumulations are found, natural hydrogen could offer a resource that is not dependent on weather or time of day.
The resource also has different input requirements from many manufactured hydrogen pathways. Production methods based on electrolysis, natural gas, or other feedstocks can require substantial electricity, heat, water, or other resources. Natural hydrogen starts with a molecule that has already formed underground. If commercially viable accumulations can be located and accessed responsibly, this could create another source of low-carbon fuel and energy for sectors that require reliable power.
Evaluating Commercial Potential
Finding hydrogen underground is only one part of establishing a viable energy resource. Commercial potential depends on whether an accumulation contains sufficient quantities of hydrogen and whether the gas can be accessed, produced, and delivered at a commercially feasible cost. These questions require further investigation beyond identifying promising geological formations.
Koloma distinguishes between collecting geological evidence and investigating potential commercial quantities. Samples from stratigraphic test wells undergo analysis in the field and at the company's research laboratory in Columbus, Ohio. If the results indicate a potential accumulation, the company may proceed with an exploration well to investigate whether commercially relevant quantities could be present. Geological surveys and preliminary sample results alone cannot establish the commercial viability of a deposit.
Engineering considerations also influence the feasibility of a potential resource. Well design, subsurface geology, gas composition and expected production rates can affect the equipment and operating procedures required. Additional assessments may be necessary to determine how the gas could be handled, processed and transported to prospective customers. These requirements vary according to the geology of each site and the intended end use.
The commercial case also depends on demand from potential hydrogen users. Industries such as fertilizer manufacturing, sustainable aviation fuel production, heavy transportation and certain industrial processes may require hydrogen as a feedstock or energy input. Data centers and other facilities requiring reliable power represent additional potential applications. However, the suitability of natural hydrogen for any particular use depends on resource availability, infrastructure, costs and customer requirements.
Environmental management remains important throughout exploration. Koloma describes measures involving gas monitoring, well construction, groundwater protection and land restoration. The company also identifies regulatory compliance as part of its field operations. Where exploration results do not indicate the potential for commercial quantities, land restoration forms part of the site's eventual closure.
Natural hydrogen remains an emerging energy resource, and the commercial prospects of individual accumulations require site-specific evidence. Through geological research, geophysical surveys, laboratory analysis and exploratory drilling, Koloma is investigating whether naturally occurring hydrogen can be accessed in commercially viable quantities. The results will determine which prospects warrant further exploration and whether they can progress toward future production.
Safety and Environmental Stewardship
Exploration and production of underground hydrogen require careful management of wells, gases, groundwater and surrounding land. Koloma incorporates gas monitoring, well construction, groundwater protection and land restoration into its field operations. Personnel at active sites use portable monitors that measure gas concentrations in real time, while wells use multiple layers of cement and steel casing to isolate the wellbore and protect groundwater and surrounding ecosystems.
Koloma also works within applicable local, state and federal regulations before beginning operations in new areas. Its regulatory framework can include requirements under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act, together with state and local permitting requirements. By linking geological research, laboratory analysis, geophysical surveys and field operations, Koloma is working to determine where natural hydrogen exists underground and whether these accumulations can become a viable source of low-carbon energy.
ABOUT | PETE JOHNSON
Pete Johnson is the founder & CEO of Koloma, a natural hydrogen exploration company. Before joining Koloma, Johnson was Co-Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer of Monolith Materials, where he worked on the company’s large-scale methane pyrolysis hydrogen production facility.
Johnson has also held investment, engineering and product development roles across the renewable energy sector. He served as a Venture Partner at Azimuth Capital Management, led engineering and product development at AREVA Solar, and advised the U.S. Department of Energy. Johnson holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Utah, where he graduated summa cum laude.
