5. How to make the most of natural hydrogen in our future energy mix

From these few years of studying natural hydrogen, we can draw a few conclusions:

• Natural hydrogen exists on every continent. Apart from the hydrogen associated with ophiolites and hydrothermal systems, it is mainly found in Neoproterozoic and Archean cratonic formations;

• its exploitability has been demonstrated at several sites where drilling has been carried out to estimate its productivity;

• natural hydrogen is renewed at a rate compatible with human times. It will therefore be necessary to harmonize the operating flow with the natural production flow, so that natural hydrogen can be considered renewable;

• its operating cost is significantly lower than that of manufactured hydrogen, whether produced from carbonaceous materials or by electrolysis....