Earth Source Hydrogen Secures First Licence in Western Australia for Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Earth Source Hydrogen (ESH) has achieved a major milestone in its mission to uncover naturally occurring hydrogen resources in Australia, securing its first Special Prospecting Authority (SPA-0112) from the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration in Western Australia.
This marks the company’s first official licence in the region and represents an important step forward in the development of natural (“white”) hydrogen exploration in the country. A second licence, SPA-0111, covering the adjacent block, is currently under application and expected to follow soon. Together, the two licences total ~40,000 square kilometres, granting ESH one of the largest continuous prospective areas for natural hydrogen in Australia.
Ownership structure:
- SPA-0112: 100% held by Earth Source Hydrogen
- SPA-0111: 50-50 joint venture with Snowfox
Once both licences are confirmed, ESH will collaborate with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to begin a water sampling campaign in March 2026. The two- to three-week field program will sample around 20 existing bores and wells in each SPA, using existing infrastructure and maintaining a zero-impact, low-disturbance footprint.
The laboratory analysis of the samples will assess dissolved elements and potential geochemical indicators of natural hydrogen prospectivity. Results will guide ESH’s decision on whether to proceed with full exploration permits.
“This is an important moment for ESH and for natural hydrogen exploration in Australia,” said David Biggs, Managing Director of Earth Source Hydrogen. “It is the first time, to our knowledge, that water sampling has been used in Australia as part of the natural hydrogen discovery process. Our approach will remain disciplined, science-led, and low impact as we build the dataset needed to assess prospectivity.”
If successful, this pioneering work could open the door to a new era of clean, naturally produced hydrogen energy, capable of meeting global energy demand for millennia at a fraction of the carbon intensity of synthetic alternatives.
Full press release is attached:
Earth Source Hydrogen secures first licence in Western Australia in search for natural hydrogen
October 27th marked a milestone in the history of Earth Source Hydrogen when we were granted a Special Prospecting Authority for block SPA-0112 by the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration. This is one of two licences we applied for in the region, totalling ~40,000 sq/kms, and we are confident the second, SPA-0111, will be secured soon.
Ownership structure
• SPA-0112 is held 100 percent by Earth Source Hydrogen.
• SPA-0111 is a 50-50 joint venture with Snowfox.
Next steps
Once both SPAs are in place, we plan to mobilise the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO, to conduct a focused water sampling campaign starting in March. The fieldwork is scheduled for two to three weeks. Samples will then undergo laboratory analysis to determine the dissolved elements in the water. The results will help establish whether the area shows natural hydrogen prospectivity. Each SPA grants us the exclusive right to apply for an exploration permit, and the decision whether to do so will be driven by the results of the sampling campaign.
Low impact by design
At least 20 existing bores and water wells will be sampled in each SPA. Access will use existing roads and tracks. Our approach is designed to have zero impact on landholders and the local environment.
“This is an important moment for ESH and for natural hydrogen exploration in Australia. It is the first time, to our knowledge, that water sampling has been used in Australia as part of the natural hydrogen discovery process. It also validates the work our team has put in, and it gives us a clear path into the field. We will keep our approach disciplined, science-led, and low impact as we build the dataset needed to assess prospectivity.”
David Biggs, Managing Director, Earth Source Hydrogen
Why natural hydrogen matters
Natural hydrogen forms underground through geological processes. If viable accumulations are confirmed and developed responsibly, natural hydrogen could meet the world's energy needs for thousands of years while being 10 times less carbon-intensive than the next best alternative.
