The study introduces Metharc’s first-of-a-kind process for producing hydrogen directly from injected biogas within geothermal gas wells, capturing carbon downhole as a free and sustainable bi-product. Our wellbore reformation process utilizes a downhole tool that converts the methane content within biogas into hydrogen and captures the generated CO2 together with the biogas’ own CO2 content, by injecting it into the geothermal reservoir. The method not only supports the green energy transition and circular economy by minimizing carbon emissions, but also leverages the existing infrastructure of geothermal wells and biogas production, providing a sustainable and cost-effective way to produce hydrogen. By coupling Biogas with Geothermal Energy, one sector can benefit from the inherent weakness of the other. Geothermal wells can provide a carbon capture (CCS) facility with wellbore hydrogen production for injected Biogas, while Biogas injection can provide Geothermal Energy with elevated thermal output and the opportunity to significantly reduce new well costs. These synergies create an economic pairing for their joint global geographic scalability, allowing both sectors to grow rapidly in tandem.

Our economic analysis indicates that this approach can significantly reduce the energy and costs typically associated with hydrogen production and carbon capture. By eliminating post-combustion carbon capture, the process reduces the CCS financial and environmental burdens, allowing low-carbon hydrogen to be produced from biogas for an estimated 3 USD/kg , helping to meet the growing demand for clean energy while maintaining energy security.