On 26 May the GSB organised a conference on natural hydrogen and site visit with federal Minister Jean-Luc Crucke to the Pontpierre exploration well site of the REGALOR II project in Lorraine, France, in the frame of the BE.Hydrogen programme. Key insights from the day: Belgian potential: project coordinators Estelle Petitclerc and Kris Welkenhuysen presented the state-of-the-art and plans for Belgian research. The GSB has already identified several theoritical zones of interest based on geological features related to hydrogen-forming processes (see map, numbers don’t represent priority). Future knowledge exchange: While the Lorraine case does not provide all the answers for Belgium due to differences in geological setting, it offers valuable opportunities for cross-border exchange of expertise. Technology in action: A hot but fascinating site visit of the Pontpierre well provided deep insights into the hydrogen reservoir, exploration techniques, and in-situ hydrogen measurement. The day received extensive media coverage with interviews of...Read More
The Federal Council of Ministers has approved the first phase of a national scientific exploration programme for natural hydrogen in Belgium. Natural or white hydrogen offers the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase strategic security. With this programme, the Geological Survey of Belgium aims to determine if and where natural hydrogen occurs in the Belgian subsurface. The multi-year programme focuses on two parallel tracks: advanced 3D geological modeling and real-world field detection. Our experts will investigate various formation mechanisms, including oxidation in iron-rich rocks and radiolysis in deep granites, reaching deeper into the Earth’s crust than any previous Belgian mapping efforts. By building specialized analytical capacity, we will validate where hydrogen might be forming, migrating, and accumulating. Several areas in distinct geological settings will be evaluated (indicated by the numbers on the map), providing full coverage of our country. With this programme, Belgium is positioning itself at the...Read More
The Geological Survey of Belgium wishes all of its colleagues and partners a wonderful time with family and friends, and all the best for 2026!Read More
The Geological Survey of Belgium wishes a very Happy Saint Barbara’s Day to all our colleagues, partners, and friends in the geological community! Today is for celebrating the exploration of the Earth and the passion of those who pursue it. May your rock samples be plentiful and your boreholes be dry! A special thank you to our dedicated team who continue to map and study Belgium’s geology.Read More
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