Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems
The increasing demand for carbon-free energy in recent years has positioned hydrogen as a viable option. However, its current production remains largely dependent on carbon-emitting sources. In this context, natural hydrogen, generated through geological processes in the Earth’s subsurface, has emer...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Marcos Sequeira Ethel Morales Isabelle Moretti Gerardo Veroslavsky Facundo Plenc Roberto d’Avila Hector de Santa Ana |
| author_facet | Marcos Sequeira Ethel Morales Isabelle Moretti Gerardo Veroslavsky Facundo Plenc Roberto d’Avila Hector de Santa Ana |
| author_sort | Marcos Sequeira |
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| description | The increasing demand for carbon-free energy in recent years has positioned hydrogen as a viable option. However, its current production remains largely dependent on carbon-emitting sources. In this context, natural hydrogen, generated through geological processes in the Earth’s subsurface, has emerged as a promising alternative. The present study provides the first national-scale assessment of natural dihydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) potential in Uruguay by developing a catalog of potential H<sub>2</sub>-generating rocks, identifying prospective exploration areas, and proposing H<sub>2</sub> systems there. The analysis includes a review of geological and geophysical data from basement rocks and onshore sedimentary basins. Uruguay stands out as a promising region for natural H<sub>2</sub> exploration due to the significant presence of potential H<sub>2</sub>-generating rocks in its basement, such as large iron formations (BIFs), radioactive rocks, and basic and ultrabasic rocks. Additionally, the Norte Basin exhibits potential efficient cap rocks, including basalts and dolerites, with geological analogies to the Mali field. Indirect evidence of H<sub>2</sub> in a free gas phase has been observed in the western Norte Basin. This suggests the presence of a potential H<sub>2</sub> system in this area, linked to the Arapey Formation basalts (seal) and Mesozoic sandstones (reservoir). Furthermore, the proposed H<sub>2</sub> system could expand exploration opportunities in northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil, given the potential presence of similar play/tramp. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cee87f2f74bd47acbfab7af2c8e84e92 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-cee87f2f74bd47acbfab7af2c8e84e922025-08-20T02:44:32ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-02-011525410.3390/geosciences15020054Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential SystemsMarcos Sequeira0Ethel Morales1Isabelle Moretti2Gerardo Veroslavsky3Facundo Plenc4Roberto d’Avila5Hector de Santa Ana6PEDECIBA (Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas), Isidoro de María 1614, Montevideo 11800, UruguayPEDECIBA (Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas), Isidoro de María 1614, Montevideo 11800, UruguayLFCR, UPPA Rue de l’Université, 64012 Pau, FrancePEDECIBA (Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas), Isidoro de María 1614, Montevideo 11800, UruguayPEDECIBA (Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas), Isidoro de María 1614, Montevideo 11800, UruguayPetrobras/E&P/Exploração, EDISEN, Avenida Henrique Valadares, 28, 4o. Andar, Centro, Rio de Janeiro CEP 20.231-030, RJ, BrazilExploración y Producción, ANCAP (Administración Nacional de Combustibles, Alcohol y Portland), Paysandú s/n y Av. del Libertador, Montevideo 11100, UruguayThe increasing demand for carbon-free energy in recent years has positioned hydrogen as a viable option. However, its current production remains largely dependent on carbon-emitting sources. In this context, natural hydrogen, generated through geological processes in the Earth’s subsurface, has emerged as a promising alternative. The present study provides the first national-scale assessment of natural dihydrogen (H<sub>2</sub>) potential in Uruguay by developing a catalog of potential H<sub>2</sub>-generating rocks, identifying prospective exploration areas, and proposing H<sub>2</sub> systems there. The analysis includes a review of geological and geophysical data from basement rocks and onshore sedimentary basins. Uruguay stands out as a promising region for natural H<sub>2</sub> exploration due to the significant presence of potential H<sub>2</sub>-generating rocks in its basement, such as large iron formations (BIFs), radioactive rocks, and basic and ultrabasic rocks. Additionally, the Norte Basin exhibits potential efficient cap rocks, including basalts and dolerites, with geological analogies to the Mali field. Indirect evidence of H<sub>2</sub> in a free gas phase has been observed in the western Norte Basin. This suggests the presence of a potential H<sub>2</sub> system in this area, linked to the Arapey Formation basalts (seal) and Mesozoic sandstones (reservoir). Furthermore, the proposed H<sub>2</sub> system could expand exploration opportunities in northeastern Argentina and southern Brazil, given the potential presence of similar play/tramp.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/2/54Uruguaynatural hydrogen |
| spellingShingle | Marcos Sequeira Ethel Morales Isabelle Moretti Gerardo Veroslavsky Facundo Plenc Roberto d’Avila Hector de Santa Ana Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems Geosciences Uruguay natural hydrogen |
| title | Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems |
| title_full | Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems |
| title_fullStr | Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems |
| title_short | Natural Hydrogen in Uruguay: Catalog of H<sub>2</sub>-Generating Rocks, Prospective Exploration Areas, and Potential Systems |
| title_sort | natural hydrogen in uruguay catalog of h sub 2 sub generating rocks prospective exploration areas and potential systems |
| topic | Uruguay natural hydrogen |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/2/54 |
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