IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i7p1608-d1618849.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

O&G, Geothermal Systems, and Natural Hydrogen Well Drilling: Market Analysis and Review

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas Nascimento

    (School of Engineering and Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Guaratinguetá 12516-410, Brazil
    Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Federal University of Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá 37500-903, Brazil
    Institute of Drilling Engineering and Fluid Mining, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Diunay Zuliani Mantegazini

    (School of Engineering and Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Guaratinguetá 12516-410, Brazil)

  • Mauro Hugo Mathias

    (School of Engineering and Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Guaratinguetá 12516-410, Brazil)

  • Matthias Reich

    (Institute of Drilling Engineering and Fluid Mining, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Julian David Hunt

    (Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Developing clean and renewable energy instead of the ones related to hydrocarbon resources has been known as one of the different ways to guarantee reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Geothermal systems and native hydrogen exploration could represent an opportunity to diversify the global energy matrix and lower carbon-related emissions. All of these natural energy sources require a well to be drilled for its access and/or extractions, similar to the petroleum industry. The main focuses of this technical–scientific contribution and research are (i) to evaluate the global energy matrix; (ii) to show the context over the years and future perspectives on geothermal systems and natural hydrogen exploration; and (iii) to present and analyze the importance of developing technologies on drilling process optimization aiming at accessing these natural energy resources. In 2022, the global energy matrix was composed mainly of nonrenewable sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal, where the combustion of fossil fuels produced approximately 37.15 billion tons of CO 2 in the same year. In 2023, USD 1740 billion was invested globally in renewable energy to reduce CO 2 emissions and combat greenhouse gas emissions. In this context, currently, about 353 geothermal power units are in operation worldwide with a capacity of 16,335 MW. In addition, globally, there are 35 geothermal power units under pre-construction (project phase), 93 already being constructed, and recently, 45 announced. Concerning hydrogen, the industry announced 680 large-scale project proposals, valued at USD 240 billion in direct investment by 2030. In Brazil, the energy company Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) will invest in the coming years nearly USD 4 million in research involving natural hydrogen generation, and since the exploration and access to natural energy resources (oil and gas, natural hydrogen, and geothermal systems, among others) are achieved through the drilling of wells, this document presents a technical–scientific contextualization of social interest.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Nascimento & Diunay Zuliani Mantegazini & Mauro Hugo Mathias & Matthias Reich & Julian David Hunt, 2025. "O&G, Geothermal Systems, and Natural Hydrogen Well Drilling: Market Analysis and Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-22, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:7:p:1608-:d:1618849
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1608/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1608/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li, Tianyu & Yue, Xiao-Guang & Qin, Meng & Norena-Chavez, Diego, 2024. "Towards Paris Climate Agreement goals: The essential role of green finance and green technology," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    2. Kubota, Hiromi & Hondo, Hiroki & Hienuki, Shunichi & Kaieda, Hideshi, 2013. "Determining barriers to developing geothermal power generation in Japan: Societal acceptance by stakeholders involved in hot springs," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1079-1087.
    3. Baojiang Sun & Mengjun Zhang & Qian Sun & Jie Zhong & Guanghao Shao, 2025. "Review on natural hydrogen wells safety," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Walch, Alina & Li, Xiang & Chambers, Jonathan & Mohajeri, Nahid & Yilmaz, Selin & Patel, Martin & Scartezzini, Jean-Louis, 2022. "Shallow geothermal energy potential for heating and cooling of buildings with regeneration under climate change scenarios," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 244(PB).
    5. Hunt, Julian David & Nascimento, Andreas & Nascimento, Nazem & Vieira, Lara Werncke & Romero, Oldrich Joel, 2022. "Possible pathways for oil and gas companies in a sustainable future: From the perspective of a hydrogen economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    6. Dariusz Knez & Omid Ahmad Mahmoudi Zamani, 2023. "Up-to-Date Status of Geoscience in the Field of Natural Hydrogen with Consideration of Petroleum Issues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-17, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Lucey, Brian & Yahya, Muhammad & Khoja, Layla & Uddin, Gazi Salah & Ahmed, Ali, 2024. "Interconnectedness and risk profile of hydrogen against major asset classes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    2. Li, Xiang & Yilmaz, Selin & Patel, Martin K. & Chambers, Jonathan, 2023. "Techno-economic analysis of fifth-generation district heating and cooling combined with seasonal borehole thermal energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    3. Stamatios K. Chrysikopoulos & Panos T. Chountalas & Dimitrios A. Georgakellos & Athanasios G. Lagodimos, 2024. "Decarbonization in the Oil and Gas Sector: The Role of Power Purchase Agreements and Renewable Energy Certificates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-24, July.
    4. Karmegam Dhanabalan & Muthukumar Perumalsamy & Ganesan Sriram & Nagaraj Murugan & Shalu & Thangarasu Sadhasivam & Tae Hwan Oh, 2023. "Metal–Organic Framework (MOF)-Derived Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) Applications in Fuel Cell Systems: A Review of Current Advancements and Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-19, June.
    5. Shaik, Saleem, 2024. "Contribution of climate change to sector-source energy demand," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).
    6. Peng Yu & Yufeng Xu & Honghua Liu & Xinyu Liu & Jiani Fu & Meijun Xu & Dankun Zhou, 2024. "Regional-Scale Assessment of the Potential for Shallow Geothermal Energy Development Using Vertical Ground Source Heat Pumps," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, August.
    7. Wang, Yuqing & Liu, Yingxin & Dou, Jinyue & Li, Mingzhu & Zeng, Ming, 2020. "Geothermal energy in China: Status, challenges, and policy recommendations," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. Dong, Weiwei & Niu, XiaoQin & Nassani, Abdelmohsen A. & Naseem, Imran & Zaman, Khalid, 2024. "E-commerce mineral resource footprints: Investigating drivers for sustainable mining development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    9. Wang, Haibing & Zhu, Libo & Sun, Weiqing & Khan, Muhammad Qasim & Liu, Bin, 2024. "Research on energy pricing of the hydrogen refueling station based on master-slave game in multi-market," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    10. Zhang, Sheng & Liu, Jun & Zhang, Xia & Wang, Fenghao, 2024. "Properly shortening design time scale of medium-deep borehole heat exchanger for high building heating performances with high computational efficiency," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    11. Egerer, Jonas & Farhang-Damghani, Nima & Grimm, Veronika & Runge, Philipp, 2024. "The industry transformation from fossil fuels to hydrogen will reorganize value chains: Big picture and case studies for Germany," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 358(C).
    12. Trencher, Gregory & Healy, Noel & Hasegawa, Koichi & Asuka, Jusen, 2019. "Discursive resistance to phasing out coal-fired electricity: Narratives in Japan's coal regime," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 782-796.
    13. Spampatti, Tobia & Hahnel, Ulf J.J. & Trutnevyte, Evelina & Brosch, Tobias, 2022. "Short and long-term dominance of negative information in shaping public energy perceptions: The case of shallow geothermal systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    14. Jordi García-Céspedes & Ignasi Herms & Georgina Arnó & José Juan de Felipe, 2022. "Fifth-Generation District Heating and Cooling Networks Based on Shallow Geothermal Energy: A review and Possible Solutions for Mediterranean Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-31, December.
    15. Mengting Jiang & Camilo Rindt & David M. J. Smeulders, 2022. "Optimal Planning of Future District Heating Systems—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-38, September.
    16. Vargas-Payera, Sofía, 2024. "Heat in the news: Geothermal energy in Chilean newspaper coverage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PA).
    17. Kunning Yang & Takao Katsura & Shigeyuki Nagasaka & Katsunori Nagano, 2023. "Analyzing the Performance of Double Spiral Tube Ground Heat Exchangers in a Zero-Energy Building Using Measurement Data," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-25, October.
    18. Matthew S. Winters & Matthew Cawvey, 2015. "Governance Obstacles to Geothermal Energy Development in Indonesia," Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, Institute of Asian Studies, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies, Hamburg, vol. 34(1), pages 27-56.
    19. Shortall, Ruth & Kharrazi, Ali, 2017. "Cultural factors of sustainable energy development: A case study of geothermal energy in Iceland and Japan," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 101-109.
    20. Mingchen Yang & Lei Wang & Hang Hu, 2024. "Analysis of Factors Influencing the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Carbon Intensity in Western China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-19, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:7:p:1608-:d:1618849. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.