HYSKY Monthly Explores Natural White Hydrogen with Aaron Mattson of Mafic Consulting Group
- HYSKY Society
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
April’s edition of HYSKY Monthly brought forward one of the most exciting and potentially disruptive frontiers in clean energy—natural (white) hydrogen. The event, hosted by Danielle McLean, CEO and founder of HYSKY Society, featured Aaron Mattson, Managing Director of Mafic Consulting Group, who delivered a rich and technically compelling presentation titled "The Landscape of Natural Hydrogen."
With trillions of tons of clean-burning hydrogen potentially lying untapped beneath Earth’s surface, this session helped the aviation and energy sectors understand what natural hydrogen is, how it’s being explored, and why it could reshape the global energy economy.
Understanding Natural Hydrogen: What It Is & Why It Matters
Mattson kicked off the discussion by explaining the four main models of geologic hydrogen formation:
Serpentinization: Water + iron-rich rock + heat = H₂
Radiolysis: Radioactive rock + water reactions
Mantle-derived hydrogen: Emission from deep Earth
Stimulated hydrogen: Engineered reactions in the subsurface
Natural hydrogen, often dubbed "white hydrogen", has remained hidden from the energy industry for decades. As Aaron put it:
“We weren’t looking for white hydrogen, our tools couldn’t detect it, and in some cases, we were using hydrogen to detect other things—masking its presence entirely.”
Why Was Natural Hydrogen Overlooked?
Hydrogen detection challenges were a focal point. Traditional oil and gas tools simply weren’t built to identify H₂, and previous hydrogen signals were dismissed or misunderstood. Even when a nearly pure hydrogen well was found in Mali in 1987, it took decades for the scientific community to realize the implications.
Now, with improved tools like soil gas surveys, satellite seep detection, and passive seismic surveys, exploration has gained momentum, particularly in non-traditional geological formations like mafic and ultramafic rocks.
Exploration Worldwide: U.S. and Australia Take the Lead
Mattson spotlighted a growing global hydrogen exploration ecosystem:
United States: Leading in wells drilled and capital invested, especially in Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Australia: Poised for early commercialization with robust permitting processes.
Canada & Europe: Active but slower due to infrastructure and regulatory hurdles.
There are now 90+ companies worldwide involved in natural hydrogen exploration, and the Mid-continental Rift in the U.S. has become a hotspot for geologic mapping and early-stage drilling.
The Economics: Ultra-Cheap and Carbon-Light
What really captured the HYSKY audience was natural hydrogen’s potential to beat every other form of hydrogen on cost, with extraction estimates ranging from $0.50 to $1.50/kg. That’s a fraction of the cost of green hydrogen produced via electrolysis.
Hydrogen wells could become commercially viable if they:
Produce ~6,000 kg/day
Are <150 miles from market
Secure 20-year offtake contracts
As a bonus, helium—often found alongside hydrogen—can help subsidize production costs due to its high value in aerospace and electronics.
Aviation’s Role: Position Now, Scale Later
HYSKY Monthly emphasized aviation as a perfect early application for natural hydrogen:
High-purity hydrogen for fuel cells
Source fuel for synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
Supports life-saving missions, urban air mobility, and emergency response
However, commercial offtake before 2028–2030 is unlikely. “The time to invest, research, and pilot is now,” Aaron said, urging aviation innovators to position themselves early in this emerging market.
Announcements & Next Steps
HYSKY Connect App launched to connect hydrogen aviation stakeholders
Flying High 2025 to be a virtual event—survey open now!
Hydrogen Hub Summit 2025 was a success with over 200 attendees
Interested in exploration? Contact Aaron Mattson directly for follow-up
For the latest news, insights, and content regarding hydrogen aviation, please join the following HYSKY Society channels: YouTube, X, and LinkedIn.
FAQ: Natural Hydrogen & Its Role in Aviation
What is white or natural hydrogen?
It's hydrogen created naturally underground via geological processes.
Is it clean energy?
Yes. It has very low carbon emissions depending on extraction purity.
How does it compare to green hydrogen?
It’s cheaper and doesn't require electricity to produce.
Why is this important for aviation?
It offers lightweight, high-energy fuel for aircraft and SAF production.
Where is it found?
In Earth’s crust, especially in mafic/ultramafic rocks and non-oil regions.
Why wasn’t it discovered earlier?
We lacked the tools and weren’t looking in the right places.
What’s the cost per kg?
Between $0.50–$1.50, depending on location and purity.
Can we drill for it now?
Yes, using modified oil & gas methods with shallow or deep wells.
Is it viable for commercial use yet?
Not quite—flow rates and infrastructure need validation first.
What’s the biggest opportunity?
Fueling aviation and aerospace with ultra-clean, cost-effective hydrogen.
HYSKY’s Mission
HYSKY Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to decarbonizing aviation and aerospace with hydrogen. We welcome innovators from eVTOLs/advanced air mobility, fixed-wing aircraft, and spacecraft. Our mission is simple: if it defies gravity and uses hydrogen as fuel, it’s part of our vision for sustainable flight.
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