Natural hydrogen, generated and stored in the Earth's crust, is one of the fastest-growing areas in exploration. It could become a low-carbon energy source.
The challenge for explorers is where to stake. Hydrogen gives few surface clues, and ground sampling across a whole region is slow and expensive.
That's where our satellite gas surveys come in.
## What a satellite gas survey maps
Our algorithms detect anomalies for hydrogen, helium, radon, methane and carbon dioxide in satellite imagery.
Gas rises along faults and fractures, so we map anomalies against the structures that carry them to the surface. AI "fingerprint" models trained on known hydrogen occurrences then pick out other areas with the same response.
The result is a map of where to stake ground and where to focus soil-gas sampling.
## A 12,000 km² regional screen
In October 2024, Protium Clean Energy, then called Weekapaug Lithium, partnered with Aster Funds on a regional hydrogen gas survey covering about 12,000 km². It took in the company's Ontario hydrogen claims, the recent hydrogen discovery in Quebec and the main graben areas of Temiskaming. The company changed its name to Protium Clean Energy the following month.
The survey uses our QDFC predictive fingerprint mapping, trained on known hydrogen occurrences, to find ground with a similar spectral response. A separate 3,600 km² thermal (LWIR) survey looked at known kimberlites and cobalt–silver mineralization in the region.
## First results: a hydrogen target in Temiskaming
For the first results, we surveyed Protium's Temiskaming claim block and a surrounding area of about 11,000 km². The area is centred on Lake Temiskaming and the known hydrogen showings of Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC).
- We collected data on several dates, including spring ice break-up, to separate geological hydrogen from seasonal and biological effects. Only areas with hydrogen readings across three or more periods were classed as anomalous.
- Our predictive targets lined up with QIMC's known hydrogen anomalies, which gave an independent check on the method.
- One target was identified on Protium's own claim: a strong primary anomaly with a cluster of seven smaller anomalies, mostly over Cobalt Group rocks.
- Very high helium levels were found in Lake Temiskaming and 122 other lakes, under 7% of the lakes surveyed. Helium often accompanies hydrogen.
Protium announced the results in December 2024. CEO Marc Branson said: "We are thrilled with the initial results and the outstanding work conducted by Aster Funds." Protium has since released further survey results and arranged satellite gas surveys over its Cheslatta claims in British Columbia.
## Does it work on known deposits?
We've also tested the method retrospectively. A satellite scene of Mongolia's South Gobi from May 2000 shows a strong deep-hydrogen anomaly directly over the Hugo Dummett orebody at Oyu Tolgoi, three years before the deposit was officially discovered.
Gas escaping up faults can point to concealed mineral systems as well as to hydrogen itself.
## Read more
- [Oyu Tolgoi deep hydrogen case study](/case-studies/oyu-tolgoi-hydrogen)
- [Our natural hydrogen and gas service](/solutions#hydrogen)
- [Protium: survey results identify hydrogen target](https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232300/Protium-Survey-Results-Identify-Hydrogen-Target)
- [Weekapaug Lithium (now Protium): satellite imaging for hydrogen exploration](https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/226795/Weekapaug-Lithium-to-Commence-Satellite-Imaging-and-Remote-Sensing-as-Part-of-Its-Hydrogen-Exploration-Strategy)
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Exploring for hydrogen or helium? Send us your area of interest and we'll scope a regional gas survey. [Request a survey](/request-a-survey) or call +1 905 392 9003.