Française de l’Energie is targeting a deposit that it believes could contain 98% concentrations of H2

French gas producer Française de l’Énergie (FDE) has begun drilling what is believed to be Europe’s first exploration well dedicated specifically to natural (geologic) hydrogen, marking a significant milestone in the search for alternative, low-carbon energy resources. The project is located in Pontieri, in the Lorraine region of northeastern France, where FDE has started drilling the PTH-2 deep well. This effort follows earlier findings in the same area that suggested the presence of substantial underground hydrogen. In 2006, FDE drilled a well known as Foleshill 1A as part of a research program focused on coal-bed methane. During that project, researchers unexpectedly detected hydrogen concentrations of around 15% at a depth of 1,093 meters. Based on those results, FDE and its research partners conducted further geological analysis and modeling. They concluded that hydrogen concentrations could increase significantly with depth, potentially reaching as high as 98% at around 3,000 meters. These findings provided the scientific and commercial justification for drilling a new well that directly targets hydrogen rather than hydrocarbons. With the PTH-2 well, FDE aims to reach depths of 3,000 meters or more to directly access the suspected hydrogen-rich formation. The company’s goal is not only to confirm the concentration levels but also to better quantify the volume and commercial potential of the hydrogen resource. In a recent stock market announcement, FDE described the drilling campaign as a “new step forward,” emphasizing that it represents a shift from indirect observation to direct exploration of underground hydrogen systems. If successful, the project could position France — and Europe more broadly — at the forefront of natural hydrogen exploration, a field gaining global attention for its potential to provide a continuous, low-emissions energy source without the need for energy-intensive hydrogen production methods.