Climate tech firm hails hydrogen biotech breakthrough
A climate tech energy firm is claiming an industry breakthrough after producing ‘bio-stimulated’ hydrogen without drilling, electrolysis or energy-intensive surface facilities.
Gold H2’s field trial, conducted in a legacy oilfield in California’s San Joaquin Basin, leverages microbiology and existing infrastructure to produce clean hydrogen directly from the subsurface.
The trial recorded results of 40% hydrogen in the gas stream and 400,000 ppm of hydrogen in produced gases. ChampionX LLC, which specialises in engineered technologies, served as the oilfield services provider.
“Gold H2 exists to do what no one ever has: produce clean hydrogen directly in the subsurface using biology, engineering, and existing energy infrastructure,” said CEO Prabhdeep Singh Sekhon. “This field trial is tangible proof. We’ve taken a climate liability and turned it into a scalable, low-cost hydrogen solution. It’s a new blueprint for decarbonisation, built for speed, affordability, and global impact.”
California’s depleted oilfields alone could yield up to a quarter trillion kilograms of low-carbon hydrogen, enough to provide clean power to Los Angeles for over 50 years, and global potential is far greater. Targeted hydrogen production costs are below $0.50/kg.
“This breakthrough isn’t just a step forward, it’s a leap toward climate impact at scale,” said Jillian Evanko, Gold H2 investor and advisor.
“By turning depleted oil fields into clean hydrogen generators, Gold H2 has provided a roadmap to produce low-cost, low-carbon energy using the very infrastructure that powered the last century. This changes the game for how the world can decarbonise heavy industry, power grids, and economies, faster and more affordably than we ever thought possible.”
Earlier this month it was announced she would step down as CEO and President of Chart Industries following its proposed merger with Flowserve
