天然氢气藏地质特征、形成分布与资源前景

Geological characteristics,formation distribution and resource prospects of natural hydrogen reservoir

天然氢作为一种新发现的、地质成因的、可再生清洁氢,或将改变未来的氢气能源格局。基于对国内外天然氢勘探和利用现状、研究进展等调研,取得以下4点认识:①美国、俄罗斯、法国、澳大利亚等多个国家已在天然氢气藏勘探研究中取得积极进展,中国仍处于未起步阶段;②天然氢气藏具有5个地质特征,即氢源分布广泛、断层裂缝是氢主要运移通道、游离氢决定资源量大小、资源甜点区埋深浅及氢气藏属于动态成藏系统;③天然氢有深层脱气、蛇纹石化、水的裂解等多种成因机制,天然氢气藏主要分布在陆上火成岩区、金伯利岩、矿体、蒸发岩、油气田、裂谷带岩体和前寒武纪基底7个区域;(4)现有的氢生成量估算值(254±91)×10^(9)m^(3)/a远低于实际,天然氢有望成为全球清洁氢的主要来源。此外,围绕天然氢学科建立和中国天然氢领域发展面临的理论技术问题提出了相关建议和方向。

Hydrogen,as a versatile and widely applicable clean energy source,is poised to play a pivotal role in the global transition towards sustainable energy systems.Presently,the hydrogen production capacities of existing systems fall short of satisfying the burgeoning demand for clean energy solutions.A new and remarkable development within this context is the emergence of natural hydrogen,a geologically sourced,renewable,and clean hydrogen variant.This has drawn considerable attention from numerous nations,holding the potential to reshape the landscape of hydrogen-based energy in the future.Based on comprehensive research encompassing the current status of natural hydrogen exploration and utilization both on the domestic and international fronts,coupled with advancements in this domain,several critical insights have been gleaned:1.Several countries,including the United States,Russia,France,and Australia,have made substantial strides in the exploration and research of natural hydrogen gas reservoirs.Plans for drilling and extraction operations are in motion.In contrast,China is still at an incipient stage in this field.2.Natural hydrogen gas reservoirs exhibit five distinct geological characteristics:extensive distribution within deep strata across major tectonic plate regions globally,structural faults,and intra-layer fractures serving as primary conduits for hydrogen migration,the overall quantity of free hydrogen determining reservoir size,variability in burial depths,and the identification of hydrogen-rich sweet spots within these reservoirs.These features categorize hydrogen reservoirs as dynamic storage systems.3.Natural hydrogen arises through a multitude of mechanisms,encompassing deep degassing,serpentinization,and water splitting.These hydrogen reservoirs predominantly manifest across seven regions:onshore igneous rock areas,Kimberlite rock formations,ore bodies,evaporite rock deposits,oil and gas fields,rift zone rock formations,and pre-Cambrian basement rocks.4.Present estimates place hydrogen production at(254±91)×10^(9)m^(3)/year,significantly underscoring the actual resource potential.Consequently,natural hydrogen emerges as a promising cornerstone for global clean hydrogen production.Within this context,it is imperative to consider prevailing research techniques and theoretical developments both domestically and abroad.This,alongside an emphasis on the academic discipline of natural hydrogen,underscores the critical theoretical and technical challenges that confront the development of natural hydrogen in China.In response,this article proffers pertinent recommendations and directions for further study.