USGS Maps Vast Hydrogen Reserves, Reshaping U.S. Energy Future

Newly discovered underground hydrogen deposits could transform clean energy and chemical industries across the United States.

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In a discovery that could reshape the future of energy, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released the first nationwide map of underground hydrogen resources across the contiguous United States. This research challenges previous assumptions about natural hydrogen’s viability and opens new opportunities for both the energy and chemical industries.

Massive Hydrogen Reserves Identified

USGS findings suggest that naturally occurring hydrogen reserves in the U.S. could hold twice the energy potential of all proven natural gas reserves worldwide. This discovery highlights several promising regions, including:

  • A mid-continent hydrogen zone spanning Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan
  • The Four Corners region
  • Portions of the California coast and Eastern Seaboard

While the energy potential is significant, the USGS notes that not all hydrogen deposits will be economically viable due to depth and accumulation size. However, this mapping initiative marks a crucial first step toward unlocking geologic hydrogen as a potential clean energy source.

Strategic Impact on the Energy Sector

The USGS mapping methodology evaluates key geological factors such as hydrogen sources, reservoir rocks and natural seals that trap the gas.

Using an advanced scoring system (0 to 1), the map identifies areas most likely to contain significant hydrogen accumulations, offering valuable insights for future exploration and investment.

This discovery could have major implications for industries seeking low-carbon energy solutions and sustainable chemical feedstocks. Geologic hydrogen may play a crucial role in decarbonizing the energy sector while providing a cost-effective resource for chemical manufacturing, potentially transforming industrial strategies across multiple sectors.

Environment + Energy Leader