Pioneering hydrogen exploration in Colombia using advanced wireline technologies

Advanced SLB wireline petrophysical tools enabled the first successful hydrogen sampling in Colombia's Llanos Basin. By integrating advanced logging techniques with strategic downhole sampling, SLB has set a new standard for natural hydrogen exploration, unlocking potential energy resources and transforming Colombia's energy landscape.

Natural hydrogen is emerging as a transformative clean energy source, offering significant economic and environmental benefits. However, the exploration of natural hydrogen systems presents unique challenges because of geological formation complexity of and the lack of established methodologies.

The exploration of natural hydrogen in Colombia's Llanos Basin aims to overcome key challenges faced by customers, including the accurate identification of hydrogen reservoirs, understanding migration pathways, and evaluating the economic viability of hydrogen extraction. Leveraging advanced wireline petrophysical tools, downhole sampling, and seismic technologies, SLB seeks to establish a proof-of-concept for hydrogen exploration, transforming Colombia's energy landscape and contributing to global sustainability efforts.

The operation targets the promising geological features of the Llanos Basin, characterized by granitic and dioritic basement rocks, hydrothermal activity, and high hydraulic head, which enhance hydrogen generation potential. The SLB integrated approach combines cutting-edge technologies to address these challenges, providing precise identification and evaluation of hydrogen systems.

Seismic interpretation of deep faults revealed potential migration pathways for hydrogen, guiding the exploration strategy and enhancing the accuracy of hydrogen quantification. This comprehensive understanding of the hydrogen system enabled targeted exploration and development, minimizing environmental impacts and supporting Colombia's transition to clean energy.

The use of innovative SLB wireline petrophysical tools has set new records in hydrogen exploration, achieving the first successful hydrogen sampling in Colombia's Llanos Basin. The integration of advanced spectroscopy and NMR techniques provided detailed insights into reservoir conditions, enabling precise identification of hydrogen-rich zones.

Wireline formation sampling tools, meticulously designed to minimize contamination, ensured clean formation samples and accurate assessment of hydrogen concentrations. The sampling strategy involved longer pumping times and pressure-compensated systems, preventing gas phase separation and maintaining the integrity of hydrogen samples. This approach allowed for a technical assessment of hydrogen resources, supporting future exploration prospects of natural hydrogen.

By leveraging existing oil field infrastructure and advanced geological techniques, SLB successfully identified and evaluated potential hydrogen systems, supporting Colombia's transition to clean energy and setting a new standard for similar geological settings worldwide.

For more information, see https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/energy-research/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2024.1443269/full