MAX Power Mining Corp. and Larin Engineering HHC have commenced a comprehensive natural H₂ study of the entire state of Texas using proprietary methods. The study, aimed at prioritizing prospective natural H₂ targets for near-term potential land acquisitions and exploration, will serve as a model that can quickly be scaled up to encompass vast sections of the U.S.

MAX Power’s first mover leadership in the rapidly growing natural H₂ sector in North America is anchored by its strategic alliances that include Larin Engineering with offices in Europe and Dubai. Pavel Piankov, General Manager of Larin Engineering, stated, “The state of Texas is a very promising territory for natural H₂ projects, both from a geological and service contractor/engineering standpoint.”

Mr. Rav Mlait, MAX Power CEO, said, “Texas is where big things happen, like the oil boom early last century. The growing importance of H₂ is well understood in Texas where the Lone Star State’s geology and infrastructure strongly support the potential for the discovery of America’s first natural H₂ wells.”

Texas is already America’s top producer of manufactured H₂ and currently features a vast H₂ pipeline network stretching for 1,600 miles in addition to an abundance of other H₂-related infrastructure as well as existing and potential offtakers. In short, Houston is the energy capital of the world but the broader state has been underexplored for the potential of hosting accumulations of naturally occurring H₂ gas as recently discovered elsewhere in the world. In Mali, West Africa, a replenishing dynamic flow of Natural H₂ was found at a depth of just 110 meters and was quickly converted into emissions-free electricity.

Natural H₂ advantages. Natural H₂ is known to have multiple advantages over manufactured H₂ in terms of both costs and emissions. As pointed out by RystadEnergy, a world-leading research/analysis company for the energy sector, “In addition to the cost advantage, white (Natural) H₂ can also have a low carbon intensity. At a H₂ content of 85% and minimal methane contamination, the carbon intensity is around 0.4 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) per kg H₂ gas (H₂) – including emobodied emissions and H₂ emissions.

“Through the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, companies are eligible to receive production tax credits (PTC) when the lifecycle carbon intensity is below 4 kg CO₂e per kg H₂. The highest PTC tier grants $3 per kg if H₂ production meets the carbon intensity threshold of 0.45 kg C0₂e per kg H₂. As such, low-carbon white (Natural) H₂ production in the U.S. could be eligible for the highest PTC, making it appealing for producers.”