Proton Technologies began separating hydrogen again in late February at their project in Saskatchewan, Canada. The new separation unit is for multi-year hydrogen filter longevity and iteration testing, with hydrogen truck-loading expected later this year. Liquid oxygen is scheduled to be trucked in for injection at modest but still commercial scale. At the demonstration site production is expected to reach 1000 t hydrogen per day after construction of a large air separation unit.

According to the company, Proton has a way to make clean hydrogen at an anticipated production cost below $0.30 US per kg with a lower carbon intensity than wind or solar to electrolysis. Oil fields are not abandoned because they are empty, rather they have reached an economic limit but much of the oil remains in the ground.

Proton’s process involves injecting oxygen into oilfields. This triggers reactions that produce hydrogen. Then a downhole hydrogen filter only allows hydrogen to come into the production well and up to surface, leaving all carbon in the ground. The cost structure is low because late-life oilfields become Proton’s reaction vessel which already contains decades of fuel.

“We plan to fuel our power purchase agreement using hydrogen-compatible generators,” said Seta Afshordi, COO of Proton Canada.