Getech and Sound Energy have formalized a strategic joint venture to explore Morocco’s untapped reserves of natural hydrogen and helium—resources increasingly viewed as disruptive to the long-term economics of clean energy and critical materials.
The newly formed company, HyMaroc Limited, is the product of an October 2024 exploration collaboration agreement between the two firms and marks a transition from regional screening to detailed, local-scale assessment.
The regional study conducted by Getech and Sound Energy has revealed zones of elevated geological favourability across Morocco’s expansive onshore basins. These areas will now be subject to more detailed geophysical and geochemical analysis, including potential drilling activities. According to Getech’s Chief Business Development Officer Max Brouwers, the company’s proprietary geophysical database and advanced subsurface modelling techniques—originally honed in the oil and gas sector—are being repurposed to unlock the genesis and migration patterns of natural hydrogen and helium.
The rationale behind Morocco as a focal point is both geologic and geopolitical. The country hosts several large sedimentary basins with tectonic settings conducive to hydrogen generation via mechanisms like water-rock interactions and radiolysis. Moreover, Morocco’s national energy policy—characterised by robust renewables targets and supportive investment frameworks—has attracted interest from a growing roster of energy transition players.
Natural hydrogen remains an underexplored frontier globally, with confirmed discoveries in locations ranging from Mali and Brazil to the United States. Yet Morocco’s combination of favorable geology, land accessibility, and political stability may allow it to take a leading position in this emerging market. With demand for low-cost, low-carbon hydrogen rising in hard-to-decarbonize sectors—especially fertilizers, steel, and long-haul transport—early mover advantage in natural hydrogen exploration could shape regional energy geopolitics in the coming decade.
Additionally, helium’s scarcity and critical status in the EU and North American supply chains could offer a hedge against market volatility, particularly as traditional suppliers like the United States and Qatar face depletion risks or export restrictions. By co-developing assets that contain both gases, HyMaroc may be able to de-risk its exploration activities and secure dual revenue streams.
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