Study reveals Zambales town as highest source of natural hydrogen gas

A RECENT study revealed that natural gas from the Nagsasa seep in San Antonio, Zambales, has the highest recorded gas seepage capable of producing renewable energy to meet the power demands of the town.

These gas seeps, also known as "outgassing," have released a record 800 tons of geologic hydrogen. This amount surpasses the previous record of 200 tons reported in Albania in 2024.

A SITE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY View of Nagsasa Cove in San Antonio, Zambales. PHOTO FROM CHRISTIAN TABUGA

The study titled "High hydrogen outgassing from an ophiolite-hosted seep in Zambales, Philippines" showed that researchers recorded at least 808 tons per year of natural surface outgassing from the Nagsasa seep alone, which is one of, if not, the highest measured hydrogen degassing from ophiolites to date.

According to Dr. Karmina A. Aquino, geological chemist and a Science and Technology fellow from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, these natural hydrogen fluxes measured in the country are a possible source of renewable energy and is significant to supplement the power demand of the town of San Antonio.

Citing a result of the study, it said that the surface outgassing in the seep may generate 12,861 to 15,185 megawatt-hour (MWh) per year which is up to 42 percent of the estimated 36,600 MWh demand of San Antonio.

Currently, Aquino and her team are coordinating with the DOST – Forest Products Research and Development Institute if they can provide them with gas and if they can develop a similar system where they can directly convert hydrogen into electricity.

The study is funded by the DOST Grants-in-Aid Program.