Search for white hydrogen, helium to expand in Kansas

JUNCTION CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — The search for white hydrogen and helium gas underneath Kansas is expanding.

Australia-based HyTerra has announced receiving an investment of $21.9M ($14.8 million USD) from green energy company Fortescue to expand its exploratory wells at its Nemeha Project in Geary, Morris, and Riley counties. In July, the company announced that it had received permits from the Kansas Corporation Commission to expand its exploration in Kansas.

White hydrogen is a naturally occurring form of hydrogen that is created through the process of rusting. Rainwater seeps deep into the ground, where it is heated and comes into contact with iron-rich rocks, creating rust and releasing hydrogen gas.

It was originally thought that these deposits produced an insignificant amount of the gas. However, recent discoveries indicate that it is likely more abundant than previously thought.

Hydrogen already has many industrial uses, but it could replace traditional fossil fuels used in internal combustion engines . Extracting white hydrogen takes less energy and produces an insignificant amount of greenhouse gas compared to other methods.

The company will also be looking for helium. The gas was first discovered in Dexter, Kansas, in 1903, but it took several years for scientists at the University of Kansas to determine what it was.

Like hydrogen, helium has a wide variety of industrial uses. It also has a variety of uses in medicine , from cooling MRI machines to respiratory therapy for asthma and COPD.

In July, Hyterra announced it has contracted Wichita-based Murphin Drilling Company, Inc. to drill exploratory wells at the Nemaha Project.

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