Nebraska’s Hydrogen Hunt Heats Up

Gas samples showing 44 percent hydrogen put a Nebraska project at the center of a budding energy race

24 Feb 2026

A stretch of Nebraska farmland better known for corn and soybeans may be hiding something far more explosive. Beneath the quiet fields near Geneva, early tests suggest a pocket of naturally occurring hydrogen that could nudge the United States deeper into a new energy race.

HyTerra and Natural Hydrogen Energy are pushing ahead under a joint development agreement at what they call the Geneva Project. Initial gas samples show hydrogen concentrations as high as 44 percent, along with notable volumes of helium. For an industry still in its infancy in the US, those numbers turn heads.

Samples alone do not guarantee a steady, commercial flow. But they offer a technical signal strong enough to justify more drilling and deeper testing. The next phase will focus on whether the gas can move consistently and in quantities large enough to matter.

HyTerra has taken an initial stake in the project, with the option to increase its ownership as drilling milestones are met. The phased approach limits early risk while preserving room to grow if the data holds up. For Natural Hydrogen Energy, the partnership brings fresh capital and added operational muscle to speed up appraisal work.

The project’s appeal goes beyond hydrogen. Helium, often described as a supply tight market globally, could improve the economics if commercial volumes are confirmed. The possibility of producing both gases from the same wells gives the Nebraska site an edge over many early stage rivals.

Interest in geologic hydrogen has been building in policy circles and research labs. Lawmakers and scientists are exploring how naturally occurring hydrogen might fit into broader low carbon goals. At the same time, the regulatory framework for developing such resources remains a work in progress, and clarity will be essential as projects move closer to production.

Plenty must still go right. Sustained flow rates, stable output, and clear rules will determine whether Geneva becomes a blueprint or a footnote. For now, the plains of Nebraska have become an unlikely focal point in America’s search for its next energy breakthrough.