Aragon wants to be the hero of the game. race for it Hydrogen, which in its renewable aspect represents the major commitment of the energy policy of Spain and Europe. But the autonomous community does not want to produce it, taking advantage of its enormous productive capacity alone. renewable generation –the so-called green hydrogen– but it also desires Utilizing large reserves of this sustainable and carbon-free gas naturally found in Huesca’s soil. The project to realize this dream and start what will happen First well of its kind in Europetook its first steps and recently approval of the Aragon Administration declaring investment for regional interests, the way to come true significant technical and legal hurdles.
The venture is supported by British investors through the company. Helios Aragon PTE, LTDrecent applicants, environmental permit to conduct initial exploratory investigation This energy source in Monzón. The file is currently in the public disclosure phase. Aragon Institute of Environmental Management (Inaga)As stated in the Official Bulletin of Aragon (BOA) on 10 May. The target is to carry out the first drilling in 2024 and use the deposit commercially for 20 years from 2028.
3,850 meter well
hydrogen exploration well will reach a maximum depth of 3,850 meters According to environmental documents submitted by the company, conducted by Ido consulting. The diameter of the starting profile will be from 61 to 66 centimeters and will be performed using standard machines. The promoters emphasize: they will not use the controversial hydraulic fracturing or fracturing system, It is prohibited in Spanish and Aragonese law, but drilling mud is “an essential element of modern technology” for exploration.
the company raises 900 million euro investment To begin the extraction of these coveted materials in 2028, thereby creating the first natural hydrogen hub to be produced in Europe. 300 direct and “high quality” jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs.
For the realization of these figures, the Aragon Government, interest statement and autonomousIt is a project that aims to produce First natural hydrogen and helium center in Aragon. In the coming weeks, a conference will be held in Zaragoza to promote this particular initiative.
Helios Aragon plans produce 55,000 tonnes (55 million kilos) of “very competitive” hydrogen per year from 2028, when the production phase begins. This means 10% of the current market in Spain with only the first Monzón reservation. When the underground bed is depleted, supporters offer to use it. to “safely” store green hydrogen at similar rates to output produced.
Operation and commercialization phase of the project is not possible according to the current legislation. climate change in spain. HE pure hydrogenWhat was never mined in the old continent is classified as a hydrocarbon (just like oil) under Spanish legislation, although it is not so when considering its chemical composition. Exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons has been prohibited by Law since 2021. Climate Change and Energy Transition, where the company plans to include the use of natural hydrogen in the Spanish Mining Law, A step that France has just taken.
This gas is called golden hydrogen, because it is practically not found on the planet in its pure form: it is often produced from other substances. Energy experts bring it to market at a very competitive price (0.75 euros per kilo), green hydrogen produced with excess renewable energy is between 7 and 8 euros per kilo.
Headquarters and long energy experience in Singapore
In August 2018, the company requested the appropriate permits to explore natural hydrogen and helium, permits granted by the Government of Aragon in February 2020. This research and testing carried out ‘in situ’ a year ago confirms ‘high readings’ From both sources in Barbastro and Monzón.
The request for administrative authorization of the project in the regional government was submitted on 28 February on behalf of Helios Aragón Exploration SL by lawyer Ramón Castilla Fernández-Fábregas from Malaga. As the parent company of the company, which has its registered office in Madrid and was established in March 2018, the said promoting company is located at: SingaporeWhich one two other subsidiaries (in Poland and the UK). The management team has extensive experience in the energy sector in the following companies: Shell, Exxion Mobil or BP, according to the agreement of the regional Administrator, which is declared as an investment in regional interests
project history
In the 1960s, Empresa Nacional de Petróleos de Aragón SA (Ensapa) conducted systematic drilling on Spanish soil to locate the potential. oil fields. As part of this campaign, the Monzón-1 survey was conducted, located approximately one kilometer southeast of the urban core. Obtained results excluded the presence of hydrocarbons, however, they did reflect the presence of hydrogen in two areas, although they were indirect indicators since the purpose of the study was the location of the oil.
It has always been thought that the existence of free hydrogen deposits on Earth is limited. high volatility and ability to combine with other elements. Recent research seems to refute this belief and finds that it seems possible under specific circumstances. accumulation of this chemical element. The existence of natural hydrogen has been discovered in Mali in the 21st century, and various studies seem to support the possibility of its existence under certain conditions.
In this context, Helios Aragon considers the possibility of realization. a new research probe to confirm the presence of hydrogen To characterize the environment of the potential reservoir in the area close to the Monzón-1 well, as well as to know its characteristics (storage rock, reservoir seal, possible source areas). Project coordinators in the documentation of the technology selected for research “It will not require any action that entails the use of hydraulic fracturing or shredding techniques.”