Global Experience in Hydrogen Production Technology Based on Intellectual Property Assets of the Oil and Gas Sector

Introduction. The article examines global hydrogen production technologies with varying degrees of impurity purification and evaluates the economic efficiency of these technologies at an industrial scale. Considered are patent applications and patents for inventions from the European Union, the United States, China, Japan, Korea and the Russian Federation. Methods. The primary research method employed in the composition of this paper was the dialectical method, supplemented by patent analysis, a systems approach and an examination of legal regulations pertaining to hydrogen energy technologies and patent databases. Results and Discussion. An examination of international practices reveals that countries with scarce hydrocarbon resources are currently actively patenting technologies associated with the production of pure 'green' hydrogen. In Russia, the trend in patenting is geared towards technologies that extract purified hydrogen from natural gas. The common thread among these patented solutions is an aim to decrease technology costs and adhere to global environmental standards. Technologies patented in the Eurasian space are discussed in detail. Conclusions have been drawn regarding the regional regularity of patent profitability and the subsequent use of protected intellectual property. The patenting of specific technologies for producing purified hydrogen is territorially based, reinforced by the resource and economic potential of each respective country. However, despite the active advancement of hydrogen technologies, inventors worldwide continue to grapple with the challenge of reducing their costs, as the production of eco-friendly hydrogen — 'green,' 'turquoise,' and 'blue,' with minimized hydrocarbon emissions — remains a costly process. Analysts predict a gradual reduction in the cost of 'green' and 'blue' hydrogen as large-scale implementation of its production technologies in industrial facilities takes place, while 'grey' hydrogen becomes more expensive due to CO2 emission pricing. Regarding 'blue' hydrogen, forecasts are highly optimistic: by 2030, its price could range between 1–2.5 $/kg. Therefore, 'blue' hydrogen could potentially become a competitive energy source in the near future. Conclusion. The authors believe that the development of competitive technologies is directly contingent upon a region's resource capabilities. The reduction in the cost of hydrogen production technologies primarily hinges on a country's energy potential. The active patenting and deployment of technologies that mark the shift from traditional methods of producing and using 'grey' hydrogen to 'green,' 'turquoise,' and 'blue' hydrogen are driven by the need for an environmentally friendly alternative energy source. This could replace conventional energy sources in regions lacking oil and gas resources, while also reducing the environmental impact of carbon dioxide emissions and other gases produced during the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources. Given the ongoing changes, leading global companies need to restructure their assets, paying special attention to intangible assets, in order to retain control over competitive product markets.