Getech has secured its first contract in stimulated geologic hydrogen, partnering with GeoKiln on a pilot project in Minnesota that targets hydrogen production directly within iron-rich subsurface formations rather than at the surface.
The contract marks the launch of Getech’s new service line in stimulated or manufactured geologic hydrogen, an area drawing increasing interest from policymakers and research institutions seeking firm, low carbon hydrogen supply. GeoKiln’s approach, branded as Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen or MSSH™, accelerates naturally occurring water iron reactions underground using precision heating, enabling continuous hydrogen generation and extraction without relying on geologic accumulation over geological timescales.
Getech’s role centers on subsurface risk reduction, a critical bottleneck for any hydrogen concept dependent on geology. The company will apply its global gravity and magnetic data and interpretation workflows to identify rock volumes and structural settings most favorable for hydrogen generating reactions. By calibrating gravity and magnetic signatures against known hydrogen producing lithologies, the study aims to narrow uncertainty around site selection, a step often underestimated in early stage hydrogen concepts. The pilot is scheduled to conclude in the first quarter of 2026, with workflows designed for replication in other regions if results are positive.
Stimulated geologic hydrogen is positioned as a response to several structural challenges facing conventional hydrogen routes. Electrolysis costs remain highly sensitive to electricity prices and capacity factors, while blue hydrogen faces persistent scrutiny over methane leakage and carbon capture performance. GeoKiln’s early modeling suggests hydrogen production costs of around $1.50 per kilogram, a figure that would place the technology below many current green hydrogen projects, particularly those exposed to wholesale power volatility. However, these estimates remain unproven at scale and depend heavily on subsurface reaction rates, heat management, and well productivity over time.
The appeal of the approach extends beyond cost. Unlike surface electrolysis, stimulated geologic hydrogen does not require large volumes of purified water and is designed to integrate with established oil and gas drilling and completion technologies. This compatibility could reduce development risk and accelerate deployment, particularly in regions with existing subsurface expertise and infrastructure. Whether this translates into lower capital intensity in practice will depend on drilling density, heating efficiency, and hydrogen recovery rates, none of which have yet been demonstrated in long-duration field operations.
Institutional interest in the concept is growing, but remains cautious. Organizations including ARPA E, the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, the Clean Air Task Force, and the Royal Society have identified stimulated geologic hydrogen as an early-stage but potentially dispatchable low-carbon energy source. GeoKiln’s backing from Breakthrough Energy Fellows adds credibility, reflecting Bill Gates’ fund’s focus on technologies that could deliver large-scale emissions reductions if technical risks can be resolved. For Getech, the project represents a strategic extension of decades of subsurface exploration experience across petroleum, minerals, geothermal energy, and natural hydrogen.
