wants to be Aragon Europe’s first natural hydrogen producer By exploiting the large reserves of this sustainable and carbon-free gas found in Huesca’s soil. As this newspaper progressed last December, the company Helios Aragon Trade Limited Company, This unique resource in Monzón, promoted by British investors, was proposed to be used with a project. 900 million euro investment Again, current Spanish legislation makes this impossible. A legislative change is required for it to happen.
This was acknowledged by the company’s chief executive, British, on Wednesday. ian munroand Aragon Vice-President and Minister of Industry, Arturo AliagaIn the event organized to introduce a project that aims to revolutionize the energy sector on a European scale as well as producing; 300 direct “high quality” jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs. The Regional Executive sees this as a great opportunity for regional development and therefore has declared the regional interest initiative to facilitate and accelerate its processing.
They trusted both the company and the DGA to consider requests from the Ministry of Ecological Transition to give this ambitious initiative a legal framework. The way to achieve this is through new protection. Spanish Mining Law -in preparation-, this gas, nicknamed golden hydrogen, A step that France has already takenas assured by both parties.
Natural hydrogen was never mined in Europe or Spain because until recently it was an underutilized gas, which justifies the inadequate legislation in this regard. In the eyes of Spanish legislation, it is classified as a hydrocarbon (just like petroleum), although it is not, given its chemical composition. The exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons has been prohibited by Law since 2021. climate change and the Energy Transition.
“This is not a hydrocarbon,” said Aliağa, noting that the Spanish Government had received offers from the Aragonian authorities to change the mining regulations and include this resource “as the French did”. In this way, the processing of permits for the exploration and production of natural hydrogen will be allowed.
“There are very positive developments regarding the legislation. “Actually, at the European level, other countries like France already include hydrogen and helium in their mining laws,” said Carmen Font, representative of Helios Aragón. in conversations in European Commission To pave the way for such projects.
“A Historical Event”
“We are facing a historic event. And I was told by a former engineer who saw that Aragon has a transcendent presence in Spain’s energy mix,” stressed the DGA vice president, comparing this project to other milestones in the community’s history of the mining-electrical industry. coalalready lost, bursting renewable or exploitation A gas field in Serrablo from Huesca.
“We’re ahead now an extraordinary horizon and there will be no doubt that we will put all the meat on the grill for the Government of Aragon. so it’s done with all guarantees”, while clarifying that the extraction technique has nothing to do with ‘fracking’, but that the usual procedure is recommended in large gas plants.
Aliaga emphasized “Aragon cannot close the door of becoming Europe’s first ‘centre’” hydrogen. In this sense, he contextualized the reversal of energy dependence on Southern Europe, as evidenced by the great future hydro canal that Spain and France agreed to build.. “The Government of Aragon did everything it could by announcing the relevant project, talking to the ministry and trying to change the mining legislation.” concluded.
3,850 meter research well
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.
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.
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.
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 examinations and tests on site they confirmed “high readings” a year ago From both sources in Barbastro and Monzón.
The request for administrative prioritization of the project at the DGA was submitted on 28 February by the Malaga lawyer Ramón Castilla Fernández-Fábregas on behalf of Helios Aragón Exploration SL. 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 DGA agreement 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 detect potentials. 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 near the Monzón-1 well, as well as to know its characteristics (reservoir 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.”