White (Natural) Hydrogen Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Source (Serpentinization of Olivine and Pyroxene Ultramafic Rocks (Containing Peridotite, Dunite, or Kimberlite), Volcanic Activity and Magma Crystallization, Hydrothermal Vents, Degassing Primordial Hydrogen, Others), By End-User (Oil and Gas, Industrial Feedstock, Mobility, Power Generation, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market, valued at USD 3.72 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience robust expansion with a CAGR of 9.39% to reach USD 6.38 Billion by 2030. White (natural) hydrogen, also known as geologic or gold hydrogen, is molecular hydrogen naturally generated within the Earth's crust through various geological processes, primarily water-rock reactions involving iron-rich minerals. This naturally occurring gas is distinct from industrially produced hydrogen, offering a potentially low-carbon energy source without human intervention in its formation. The market's growth is predominantly driven by the increasing global demand for clean energy alternatives and the imperative to decarbonize industrial sectors and transportation. Rising investments in exploration and extraction technologies, coupled with government initiatives and policies supporting sustainable energy, further propel market expansion.

However, the white hydrogen market faces a significant challenge in the immaturity of its infrastructure. The requirement for advanced extraction methods, dedicated pipelines, and storage facilities, which are currently underdeveloped, impedes widespread adoption and commercial scalability. According to the Hydrogen Council, committed investment in clean hydrogen projects, including natural hydrogen, dramatically increased from approximately USD 10 billion across 102 projects in 2020 to some USD 75 billion across 434 projects in 2024, demonstrating growing financial commitment despite infrastructural hurdles.

Key Market Drivers

The growth of the Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market is significantly influenced by two primary factors: the imperative for global decarbonization and the increasing discovery of abundant natural reserves. Decarbonization goals across industries and nations are creating a substantial pull for low-carbon energy sources, with natural hydrogen offering a direct, inherently low-emission alternative to conventionally produced hydrogen. According to the International Energy Agency's "Global Hydrogen Report 2025," published in September 2025, the projected clean hydrogen forecast for 2030, while adjusted, still targets 37 million metric tons, underscoring a persistent global commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner energy carriers. This urgent need for sustainable energy solutions provides a foundational market for white hydrogen, driving investment and development in extraction technologies.

Concurrently, the escalating discovery of abundant natural reserves is transforming the perceived viability and scale of the white hydrogen market. Historically, the existence of naturally occurring hydrogen was largely overlooked, but recent exploration efforts have unveiled significant deposits. For instance, according to SciOpen's "Natural hydrogen exploration: A case study of hydrogen wells in the Mali gas field in Africa and global advances," published in October 2024, the number of companies engaged in natural hydrogen exploration worldwide surged from three in 2020 to 40 in 2023. These discoveries, such as the extensive hydrogen field in Bourakebougou, Mali, featuring multiple stacked reservoir intervals covering an estimated area well superior to 8 km in diameter, demonstrate the tangible resource base for this emerging energy source. Such finds validate the commercial potential of natural hydrogen, attracting further capital and research into its extraction and utilization.

The overall market for white hydrogen continues to demonstrate growing momentum. According to the U. S. Department of Energy, in February 2024, it announced $20 million in funding for 16 projects across eight states, specifically dedicated to exploring geologic hydrogen and reservoir management, marking the first competitive federal funding for this technology.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The immaturity of infrastructure presents a significant impediment to the widespread adoption and commercial scalability of the global white hydrogen market. Current deficiencies in advanced extraction methods, dedicated pipeline networks, and storage facilities directly restrict the movement of this naturally occurring gas from its geological sources to end-use applications. Without robust infrastructure, the economic viability of new white hydrogen projects is diminished, as producers face challenges in efficiently transporting and distributing the gas, thereby limiting market reach and hindering large-scale integration into the broader energy system.

This infrastructural gap significantly curtails market growth by creating bottlenecks in the supply chain. For instance, according to the International Energy Agency, in 2023, spending by project developers on hydrogen infrastructure projects, including pipelines, storage, and refueling, remained at a much lower level compared to investments in production facilities. This disparity indicates a lack of readiness in the physical assets required to support widespread utilization, delaying the transition of white hydrogen from an exploratory resource to a globally traded energy commodity and constraining its contribution to industrial decarbonization efforts.

Key Market Trends

The strategic repurposing of legacy fossil fuel infrastructure represents a pivotal trend for the Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market. This approach leverages existing assets such as wells and pipelines, significantly reducing the need for new infrastructure and lowering upfront capital expenditure. Project developers can expedite market entry by converting these established networks. According to DNV, a global assurance and risk management company, published in the Oil & Gas Journal in April 2023, converting existing gas pipelines for hydrogen transport is estimated to cost as little as one-tenth of new construction, with over 50% of future hydrogen pipelines globally expected to be repurposed. This strategy provides significant economic benefits. A practical application of this trend was observed when a 25-kilometer natural gas pipeline was commissioned in April 2025 to supply hydrogen to the TotalEnergies refinery in Leuna, Germany, following its conversion.

The Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market is witnessing accelerated pilot and commercial project deployments, signifying a crucial transition from exploration to practical, scalable applications. This trend reflects increasing confidence in natural hydrogen's technical viability and economic potential, attracting further investment. Such deployments demonstrate operational capabilities for extraction and delivery, fostering wider adoption. The global clean hydrogen project pipeline, which encompasses natural hydrogen initiatives, expanded seven-fold from 228 projects in 2020 to 1,572 projects by May 2024, indicating a strong shift towards execution, according to the Hydrogen Council's "Hydrogen Insights 2024" report published in September 2024. This progress is further evidenced by Gold Hydrogen securing a $14.5 million strategic investment in July 2025, initiating a second drilling campaign at its Ramsay Project in South Australia from October 2025, aimed at commercial natural hydrogen and helium production.

Segmental Insights

The Mobility segment is emerging as the fastest-growing sector within the Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market. This accelerated growth is primarily attributed to the increasing global focus on decarbonization and the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) as a clean, zero-emission transportation solution. FCVs offer compelling operational benefits, such as extended driving ranges and rapid refueling times, which are particularly advantageous for heavy-duty applications and long-distance transport compared to battery-electric alternatives. Crucially, governmental support and regulatory frameworks, including the European Union's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and the U. S. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are actively fostering infrastructure development and incentivizing the transition to hydrogen-powered mobility.

Regional Insights

Europe emerges as the leading region in the Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market, driven by its profound commitment to decarbonization and the extensive regulatory support from institutions such as the European Union. Comprehensive initiatives, including the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package, establish clear frameworks for the development and integration of low-carbon gases. These policies foster significant investments in hydrogen infrastructure, advanced research, and development, alongside facilitating the repurposing of existing natural gas networks for hydrogen transmission. This proactive legislative and financial ecosystem, coupled with geological findings of natural hydrogen deposits within the region, firmly positions Europe at the forefront of the global white hydrogen transition.

Recent Developments

• In July 2025, HyTerra Ltd achieved a significant breakthrough in natural hydrogen exploration at its McCoy 1 well in Kansas, USA. The company reported hydrogen concentrations reaching up to 83% in mud gas samples, representing a crucial step towards commercial-scale natural hydrogen production. This followed earlier success in May 2025 at the Sue Duroche-3 well, which yielded even higher concentrations of 96.1% H₂. These findings are pivotal for HyTerra's Nemaha Project, demonstrating the broader potential for extracting naturally occurring hydrogen in the region and moving closer to establishing consistent gas flow rates.

• In September 2024, Rex International Holding, a Singapore-based company, entered into a joint study agreement with the co-founders of Helios Aragon, a European firm, to explore natural hydrogen in Oman. This collaboration aims to leverage Helios Aragon's expertise from its Monzon Natural Hydrogen Project in Spain and Rex's operational experience in Oman. Oman is recognized for its favorable geology for large-scale natural hydrogen generation, making this partnership a strategic move to potentially develop a cost-effective, low-carbon energy source and diversify global energy supply.

• In September 2024, QNB Metals Inc. and RéSolve Energy formed a joint venture to advance white hydrogen exploration and production. This initiative focused on developing patentable innovations and commercializing sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions within the white hydrogen sector. The collaboration received support through a USD 1.125 Million investment and private placement, emphasizing the commitment to leveraging renewable energy technologies in the search for naturally occurring hydrogen. This strategic partnership aimed to drive growth in the nascent white hydrogen market by developing resilient energy systems.

• In 2024, GOLD H2, a company founded in the U.S. in 2022, initiated the use of its proprietary Black 2 Gold (B2G) technology for the production of gold hydrogen. Gold hydrogen, also known as natural or white hydrogen, represents a naturally occurring, clean energy source. This development by GOLD H2 highlighted innovation in leveraging specific technologies to extract and utilize naturally formed hydrogen, contributing to the advancement of the Global White Hydrogen Market. The introduction of such specialized technology aims to enhance the efficiency and viability of tapping into natural hydrogen reserves.

Key Market Players

• Helios Chemicals Sdn Bhd
• Natural Hydrogen Energy LLC
• Koloma Inc.
• Hydroma Inc.
• H2AU Pty Limited
• FDE (Française De l’Énergie)
• Gold Hydrogen Ltd
• HyTerra Limited
• Repsol
• TotalEnergies SE

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Markethas been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industrytrends which have also been detailed below:

• Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market, By Source:

o   Serpentinization of Olivine and Pyroxene Ultramafic Rocks (Containing Peridotite, Dunite, or Kimberlite)

o   Volcanic Activity and Magma Crystallization

o   Hydrothermal Vents

o   Degassing Primordial Hydrogen

o   Others

• Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market, By End-User:

o   Oil and Gas

o   Industrial Feedstock

o   Mobility

o   Power Generation

o   Others

• Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market.

Available Customizations:

Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market report with the given market data, Tech Sci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

Global White (Natural) Hydrogen Market is an upcoming report to be released soon. If you wish an early delivery of this report or want to confirm the date of release, please contact us at [email protected]