Constellation Reports TOC Up to 10% and Optimal Thermal Maturity for Hydrogen

Thermogenic Hydrogen Potential Confirmed

Constellation Resources Limited has announced encouraging initial laboratory results from its Edmund-Collier Natural Hydrogen Project in Western Australia. Analysis of shale core samples has revealed high levels of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and thermal maturity, key indicators that the basin-wide shale units are prospective for thermogenic hydrogen generation. This form of natural hydrogen is generated through thermal breakdown of organic matter deep underground, offering a potential zero-carbon energy source.

The project covers an expansive area of 87,602 square kilometres, with organic-rich shale formations in the Blue Billy and Discovery Formations extending laterally over hundreds of kilometres. Initial TOC values from three drill holes ranged from 0.91% to 10.10%, averaging above the 1% threshold considered promising for hydrogen source rocks. Thermal maturity analyses by CSIRO further confirmed that these shales have been heated to temperatures optimal for thermogenic hydrogen production, typically between 250°C and 500°C.

Scientific and Geological Context

The thermal maturity results, measured as vitrinite reflectance equivalents, indicate the organic matter in these shales is overmature, a condition that favors ongoing hydrogen generation beyond traditional hydrocarbon windows. This aligns with recent global research from basins in China and Japan, which supports the concept of a 'hydrogen window' in sedimentary basins where organic-rich rocks generate hydrogen at elevated temperatures.

Constellation is collaborating with CSIRO to analyze trapped gases within fluid inclusions in the core samples. Detecting hydrogen and associated gases would provide direct evidence of natural hydrogen generation processes and help define the basin-wide hydrogen system. The project also considers additional hydrogen and helium sources from radiogenic granites underlying the basin, adding complexity and potential to the resource system.

Strategic and Market Implications

With global hydrogen demand expected to increase fivefold by 2050, the search for sustainable, zero-carbon hydrogen sources is intensifying. Currently, most hydrogen is produced via steam-methane reforming of natural gas, a carbon-intensive process. Constellation’s findings position the Edmund-Collier Project as a first-mover opportunity to explore natural hydrogen at a basin scale, potentially offering a cleaner alternative aligned with global energy transition goals.

The company is progressing regulatory approvals and plans to conduct a comprehensive soil gas survey to detect micro-seepage of hydrogen and helium across its tenements. These steps are critical to advancing exploration and eventually defining commercial viability. The project’s location near existing gas infrastructure could facilitate future development if resources prove economically extractable.

While the initial results are promising, the commercial scale and economic feasibility of thermogenic hydrogen extraction remain to be demonstrated. Further drilling, gas composition analyses, and stakeholder engagement will be essential to unlock the project’s full potential.