The study of fluid movement within ultramafic rocks presents valuable possibilities for sustainable energy and carbon storage, yet much about these rocks remains unexplored. While sedimentary rocks have been studied extensively because of their role in oil and gas production, ultramafic rocks have attracted far less attention. However, the potential for natural hydrogen (H₂) production and CO₂ mineralisation in ultramafic formations, given their unique mineral compositions, is promising.

This presentation will examine the still-uncertain processes that create and influence porosity and permeability in ultramafic rocks, with particular focus on serpentinisation, a reaction between water and rock that can release hydrogen. The existence of fluid pathways raises important questions: How do porosity and permeability emerge and evolve in these rock types? What natural processes might increase these characteristics to allow greater fluid flow? And how might these qualities be enhanced to support H₂ production and CO₂ storage?

BIO
Arnaud Lager is a petroleum geochemist by background with 25 years of experience in oil and gas industry, specialising in CCUS and sustainable energy. He was instrumental in delivering multiple CCUS projects worldwide such as the Al Reyadah project in the UAE, capturing 800,000 tons of CO₂ annually, and now leads Decahydron in pioneering natural hydrogen production and CO₂ mineralisation in ultramafic rock formation.