Viridien and Mantle8 Join the Race for Hidden Hydrogen

Partnership targets faster natural hydrogen exploration, highlighting growing interest in Europe's clean energy options

15 Sep 2025

Europe's clean energy landscape is evolving, and natural hydrogen has entered the spotlight as a possible new resource. In September, Viridien and Mantle8 announced a partnership designed to accelerate exploration of this emerging energy source, combining Viridien's subsurface data expertise with Mantle8's detection methods.

Natural, or "white," hydrogen is formed in underground rock formations and has drawn growing interest as governments search for low-carbon fuel alternatives. Its commercial potential is still unproven, but advocates believe it could complement Europe's broader energy transition. The Viridien and Mantle8 collaboration seeks to shorten the time between early surveys and testing by pairing advanced data tools with new exploration techniques.

For Viridien, the move reflects a step into hydrogen exploration alongside its established capabilities in earth data. For Mantle8, a young French firm, the partnership provides access to technical resources and global datasets that could help expand its reach as countries consider new permitting for hydrogen exploration.

Industry observers note that natural hydrogen exploration remains at an early stage, with relatively few players active. While some companies in France and Spain have begun early work, large-scale projects or proven reserves have not yet been established. Partnerships like Viridien and Mantle8's may signal growing momentum, but results will depend on whether commercially viable reserves can be found and produced at scale.

The market's uncertainty has not dimmed optimism. Supporters point to a shift from small experiments toward more structured exploration efforts, backed by larger firms willing to test the potential of natural hydrogen.

If successful, initiatives like this one could help Europe tap a new, homegrown energy source. For now, the Viridien and Mantle8 partnership reflects both the promise and the unknowns of an industry at the very beginning of its journey.