GeoKiln and ONEIC Sign Agreement to Evaluate Engineered Geologic Hydrogen Production in Oman
Houston-based GeoKiln Energy Innovation has signed a 12-month Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oman National Engineering & Investment Co. SAOG (ONEIC) to investigate the potential for engineered geological hydrogen production in the Sultanate of Oman.
Announced on November 11, 2026, the agreement will assess whether GeoKiln's proprietary Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen (MSSH™) technology could be deployed at a mutually identified location in Oman.
The collaboration brings together GeoKiln's subsurface hydrogen technology and ONEIC's experience in engineering, utilities and infrastructure development.
The proposed project would investigate a method of hydrogen production that differs from both conventional industrial hydrogen manufacturing and exploration for naturally occurring hydrogen accumulations.
Rather than seeking to extract hydrogen that has already accumulated underground, GeoKiln aims to accelerate hydrogen-generating geological reactions by applying controlled heat to suitable subsurface rock formations.
The approach is designed to take advantage of iron-rich geological environments where water–rock reactions may produce molecular hydrogen.
Oman is considered a particularly relevant location for investigating this concept because of its extensive ultramafic rock formations and history of scientific research into geological hydrogen generation.
The country contains sections of the Semail Ophiolite, a major geological formation consisting of ancient oceanic crust and upper mantle rocks exposed at the Earth's surface.
These formations include iron-bearing minerals that can react with water through processes such as serpentinization.
During serpentinization, certain minerals undergo chemical alteration, and oxidation of iron can release hydrogen under suitable geological conditions.
Naturally occurring hydrogen has been documented in association with water–rock reactions in parts of Oman, making the region an important setting for research into subsurface hydrogen generation.
Full press release is attached below:
HOUSTON, Nov. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GeoKiln Energy Innovation, a Houston-based clean energy technology company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oman National Engineering & Investment Co. SAOG (ONEIC) to evaluate the potential for engineered geologic hydrogen production at a site in the Sultanate of Oman using GeoKiln’s proprietary Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen (MSSH™) technology.
The agreement brings GeoKiln’s engineered hydrogen approach to one of the world’s most studied regions for subsurface hydrogen.
Under the 12-month MOU, the companies will assess a mutually identified location’s geology in Oman, subsurface data, infrastructure, permitting requirements, potential customers and preliminary economics. If the results support further work, they may evaluate a pilot or commercial project and an appropriate structure, which could include a joint venture. ONEIC brings more than four decades of engineering, utility and infrastructure delivery in Oman. GeoKiln brings its MSSH™ technology, subsurface engineering workflows and operational expertise.
Oman has set some of the world’s most ambitious hydrogen goals, and its iron-rich rock formations have made it a focus of geologic hydrogen research. GeoKiln’s approach complements exploration for naturally occurring hydrogen: MSSH™ applies precision subsurface heating, a technique proven at scale in oil and gas, to accelerate the natural reactions that generate hydrogen in iron-rich rock. Because it uses existing drilling infrastructure and supply chains, the approach has the potential to reduce both cost and time to deployment compared with conventional hydrogen pathways.
“Oman’s geology has taught the world much of what we know about how the Earth makes hydrogen,” said Dr. Alexei Tcherniak, CEO and Co-Founder of GeoKiln Energy Innovation. “Our technology is designed to accelerate that process in a controlled, predictable way. Working with ONEIC, a partner with deep roots in Oman’s energy and infrastructure sector, lets us evaluate MSSH™ in one of the most compelling geological settings anywhere.”
“New energy gets built through partnerships,” said Dr. Lorna Ortiz, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer of GeoKiln. “ONEIC knows how to deliver complex projects in Oman, and GeoKiln brings a new way to manufacture low-carbon hydrogen at a competitive cost. We see a growing appetite in the region for hydrogen that is affordable, low-carbon and produced locally.”
“Combining GeoKiln’s technology with the distinctive properties of Oman’s hydrogen-generating rock formations could be a significant step towards achieving Oman Vision 2040’s energy objectives. ONEIC will draw on its extensive experience delivering complex engineering projects to assess the opportunity and, if the findings support it, help bring the technology to a pilot in Oman,” said Ahmed Al Hajri, General Manager, EPC Division, ONEIC.
About GeoKiln Energy Innovation
GeoKiln Energy Innovation is a Houston-based clean energy technology company developing Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen (MSSH™), an engineered approach to producing hydrogen by stimulating natural geologic processes underground. By combining subsurface heat, geology and existing industrial capabilities, GeoKiln is creating a scalable, low-cost pathway to low-carbon hydrogen. The company is part of the Breakthrough Energy Fellows program and is focused on deploying its technology globally to support the energy transition. Learn more at geokiln.com.
About ONEIC
Established in 1978 and listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange, Oman National Engineering & Investment Co. SAOG (ONEIC) is an Omani engineering, utility services and investment company. ONEIC delivers energy infrastructure projects, including high-voltage substations and transmission lines, from engineering and procurement through construction, testing and commissioning. It also delivers water infrastructure projects.
Media contact
Sheiludis Moyett, Communication and Social Impact Advisor, GeoKiln Energy Innovation
sheiludis.moyett@geokiln.com · (787) 632-2118
