A collaborative study by Siemens Energy, SNOC, and Decahydron aims to evaluate the viability of harnessing natural hydrogen in Sharjah, signalling a significant step towards diversifying the northern Emirates’ energy sources and advancing sustainability goals.
Siemens Energy, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), and the Irish startup Decahydron are teaming up on an innovative study to see if harnessing natural hydrogen for power and industrial uses in Sharjah—and more broadly, the northern Emirates—could actually work. This initiative might represent a pretty significant step forward in the UAE’s push towards low-carbon energy solutions, tying in with its larger goals of diversifying energy sources and pursuing sustainability.
Natural hydrogen, sometimes called native or geological hydrogen, is actually trapped within the Earth’s crust. Decahydron’s approach to extracting this resource involves injecting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into ultramafic rocks—these are rich in magnesium and iron. When CO₂ reacts with these rocks, it triggers a process called serpentinization, which transforms CO₂ into solid carbon minerals, effectively locking it away forever. At the same time, hydrogen gets released. You see, this process offers a sort of double benefit: it sequesters carbon and produces a clean, potentially plentiful source of hydrogen.
The plan is to kick off drilling activities in 2026. The main goal? To figure out how much natural hydrogen is actually out there, and understand how easily it flows in this region. Siemens Energy will bring its expertise in hydrogen and power systems to analyze the data and help optimize designs—all aimed at determining whether this resource can be practically and financially useful locally. Meanwhile, SNOC, which supplies gas to Sharjah, is playing a significant role as the local partner in exploration and resource assessment.
Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC, highlighted the broader implications: “Discovering natural hydrogen could indeed open a new chapter for Sharjah’s energy landscape—think of it as a natural, abundant source of clean energy. If it proves to be viable, it would not just boost Sharjah’s role in the national energy transition but also demonstrate SNOC’s commitment to sustainable, reliable, and resilient energy solutions for the future.”
Decahydron’s CEO, Arnaud Lager, added an optimistic note based on some early findings which point to “exceptional potential” for natural hydrogen reserves in Sharjah and the northern Emirates. Plus, the company recently secured investment from Weatherford, a major US oilfield services firm. That backing helps support Decahydron as it aims to move from early discoveries toward broader exploration and even commercial extraction of hydrogen.
Using natural hydrogen directly in energy production and industries sounds promising, mainly because it could cut down on the need for expensive storage and transportation infrastructure for hydrogen. This is especially relevant for energy-heavy sectors in the UAE, like data centers and manufacturing plants, which are actively looking for low-carbon fuel options.
That said, industry experts warn against getting ahead of ourselves. Some question whether natural hydrogen deposits are deep underground or spread too thin to be economically viable, and whether extraction costs might be prohibitive. Big names in the global hydrogen scene, like Air Products, remain somewhat cautious, viewing natural hydrogen as an emerging field that still needs a lot more exploration and technological development.
Meanwhile, SNOC isn’t resting on its laurels. They are continuing to explore other clean energy options, including green hydrogen—produced using renewable energy—and carbon capture technologies. Hatem Al Mosa, SNOC’s CEO, notes that these efforts are all part of their plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2032. SNOC is also planning to build Sharjah’s largest solar plant, aiming to increase renewable energy integration into the emirate’s power grid.
This broad, multi-pronged approach really highlights Sharjah’s dedication to diversifying its energy mix and shrinking its carbon footprint. In fact, the natural hydrogen feasibility study is just the first step in understanding whether this unconventional resource can be scaled up and integrated into their energy landscape. If successful, it could open the door to a new local source of clean energy—one with huge environmental and economic benefits.
As the world steps up its efforts to decarbonize, the UAE’s exploration of natural hydrogen might just add a new arrow to its quiver—complementing existing plans for green hydrogen and solar power. The coming years will be crucial in seeing whether natural hydrogen can go from an intriguing idea to a practical backbone for the region’s clean energy future.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.h2-view.com/story/partners-begin-uae-study-on-natural-hydrogen-power-generation/2134420.article/?utm_source=gw&utm_medium=rss_feed&utm_campaign=rss – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.h2-view.com/story/partners-begin-uae-study-on-natural-hydrogen-power-generation/2134420.article/ – Siemens Energy, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), and Decahydron have initiated a study to assess the feasibility of using natural hydrogen for power generation in the UAE. The project aims to determine the technical and economic viability of harnessing natural hydrogen for local power generation and industrial applications in Sharjah. Decahydron has developed technology that injects CO₂ into ultramafic rocks, where it transforms into solid carbon through a process called serpentinization, simultaneously releasing naturally occurring hydrogen trapped in those rocks. The partners plan to begin drilling in 2026 to measure the extractable natural hydrogen in the region and its flow characteristics. Siemens Energy will provide expertise in hydrogen and power technology to support the study, analysing data and system design. Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC, highlighted the potential of natural hydrogen to provide an abundant, clean energy source, strengthening Sharjah’s role in the national energy transition. Decahydron CEO, Arnaud Lager, noted that initial findings suggest exceptional potential for natural hydrogen in Sharjah and the northern Emirates. The collaboration marks a significant step in advancing natural hydrogen exploration in the UAE, aligning with the country’s efforts to diversify its energy mix and support the transition to low-carbon, sustainable energy systems.
- https://gulfbusiness.com/snoc-siemens-energy-and-decahydron-explore-natural-hydrogen-potential-in-sharjah/ – Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), Siemens Energy, and Decahydron have announced a collaboration to explore the feasibility of using natural hydrogen for power generation and industrial applications in the northern Emirates. The initiative builds on ongoing technical studies conducted by Decahydron and SNOC at an existing exploration well in Sharjah, aiming to assess the Emirate’s natural hydrogen potential. Preliminary findings have been promising, with plans to conduct further drilling in 2026 to collect detailed resource data and measure flow rates. The project will evaluate the direct use of natural hydrogen for energy production and industrial operations, reducing the need for costly storage and transport infrastructure while creating a potential new low-carbon energy source for the UAE. This could support energy-intensive sectors such as data centres and industrial manufacturing. Decahydron is advancing a natural hydrogen and CO₂ mineralisation project in Sharjah to validate the scale and viability of the resource. Siemens Energy will contribute its expertise in energy systems and hydrogen technologies, providing analytical and technical insights to assess the commercial potential and guide the strategic direction of the project as it moves toward implementation.
- https://www.indexbox.io/blog/snoc-and-siemens-energy-partner-to-explore-natural-hydrogen-in-sharjah/ – The Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC) and Siemens Energy have partnered with Decahydron to explore the feasibility of using natural hydrogen for power generation and other industrial applications in the northern Emirates. This initiative builds on ongoing technical studies conducted by Decahydron and SNOC at an existing exploration well in Sharjah, aiming to assess the Emirates’ natural hydrogen potential. Preliminary findings have been promising, with plans to conduct further drilling in 2026 to collect detailed resource data and measure flow rates. The project will evaluate the direct use of natural hydrogen for energy production and industrial operations, reducing the need for costly storage and transport infrastructure while creating a potential new low-carbon energy source for the UAE. This could support energy-intensive sectors such as data centres and industrial manufacturing.
- https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/11/05/clean-energy/snoc-siemens-energy-and-decahydron-launch-uae-s-first-natural-hydrogen-feasibility-study-in-sharjah/ – Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), Siemens Energy, and Decahydron have launched the UAE’s first natural hydrogen feasibility study in Sharjah. The collaboration aims to assess the potential of using natural hydrogen for power generation and industrial applications in the northern Emirates. The project builds on ongoing technical studies conducted by Decahydron and SNOC at an existing exploration well in Sharjah, aiming to evaluate the Emirate’s natural hydrogen potential. Preliminary findings have been promising, with plans to conduct further drilling in 2026 to collect detailed resource data and measure flow rates. The project will evaluate the direct use of natural hydrogen for energy production and industrial operations, reducing the need for costly storage and transport infrastructure while creating a potential new low-carbon energy source for the UAE. This could support energy-intensive sectors such as data centres and industrial manufacturing.
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2023/12/09/sharjahs-snoc-explores-green-hydrogen-production-in-net-zero-push/ – Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), the emirate’s sole gas supplier, is exploring green hydrogen and carbon capture projects amid efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2032. The company is considering potential green hydrogen production and carbon storage, with plans to develop Sharjah’s largest solar plant. Hatem Al Mosa, CEO of SNOC, mentioned that the company is in the research phase for green hydrogen production and carbon storage, aiming to support the transition to renewables and achieve net-zero emissions.
- https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/energy/2023/12/09/sharjahs-snoc-explores-green-hydrogen-production-in-net-zero-push/ – Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), the emirate’s sole gas supplier, is exploring green hydrogen and carbon capture projects amid efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2032. The company is considering potential green hydrogen production and carbon storage, with plans to develop Sharjah’s largest solar plant. Hatem Al Mosa, CEO of SNOC, mentioned that the company is in the research phase for green hydrogen production and carbon storage, aiming to support the transition to renewables and achieve net-zero emissions.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative was first published on November 5, 2025, with no earlier versions found. It has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The content is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Khamis Al Mazrouei, CEO of SNOC, and Arnaud Lager, CEO of Decahydron, are unique to this narrative. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, and no online matches were found for these quotes. This suggests potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from H2 View, a publication dedicated to hydrogen energy news. While it is a specialised outlet, it is not as widely recognised as major news organisations. The report cites reputable organisations such as Siemens Energy, Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), and Decahydron, all of which have verifiable online presences.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the collaboration between Siemens Energy, SNOC, and Decahydron to explore natural hydrogen in Sharjah are plausible and align with ongoing efforts in the UAE to diversify energy sources. The narrative includes specific details such as the planned drilling activities in 2026 and the involvement of Weatherford in supporting Decahydron. The language and tone are consistent with industry reporting, and there are no excessive or off-topic details.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from reputable organisations. The claims are plausible and supported by specific details, with no signs of disinformation or recycled content.
