World's largest white hydrogen deposit found in France

Sep 15, 2023

Scientists in France have discovered a potential deposit of naturally occurring hydrogen, or white hydrogen, in the Lorraine region. Image: Pexels/ IslandHopper X

Jacques Pironon

Research Director at CNRS, University of Lorraine

Philippe de Donato

Research Director at CNRS, University of Lorraine

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SysMoG measuring probe ready to start drilling in a well of around 6cm in diameter. Image: GeoResources

Device around the probe allowing gas monitoring from underground up to more than 1000m. Image: GeoResources

In Folschviller, the last coal mine shut in 1979. The town has since lost a fifth of its population. Today, the prospect of hydrogen extraction is warmly welcomed by local authorities. Image: A.BourgeoisP/Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

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The general public can still be unnerved by hydrogen, notably older people who grew up with images of Zeppelin LZ129: the Hindenburg. The explosion of this hydrogen-powered airship mid-flight in 1937 had an indelible effect on how the gas is perceived. Image: Wikimedia

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