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In a significant development for the natural hydrogen sector, Viridien, a technology-driven digital and earth data company, has joined forces with Mantle8, a French geoscience firm specializing in natural hydrogen exploration. This strategic partnership aims to bolster hydrogen exploration efforts across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, a move underscored by Viridien's recent investment in Mantle8.

As part of this collaboration, Mantle8 gains access to Viridien's renowned Geoverse geological database, an invaluable resource that will enhance its exploration initiatives. Furthermore, Mantle8 has opted to utilize Serel's Wing DFU 3C passive seismic sensors, which promise to deliver greater precision and efficiency in imaging subsurface hydrogen-generating systems.

With the urgency to validate Europe’s substantial natural hydrogen reserves intensifying, this partnership is set to facilitate swifter real-world testing and optimization of exploration technologies. By merging Viridien’s extensive subsurface data with Serel’s cutting-edge sensor capabilities, Mantle8 is positioned to enhance its prospect generation and identify high-potential zones throughout EMEA.

Emmanuel Masini, the founder and CEO of Mantle8, emphasized the partnership's potential to expedite exploration efforts, noting that access to Viridien’s comprehensive database will enable sharper targeting of promising hydrogen zones. He remarked on the critical importance of the Serel sensors in imaging complete hydrogen systems, thereby minimizing drilling risks and supporting efficient energy resource mapping.

As Europe seeks to harness its abundant low-emission natural hydrogen, this collaboration reinforces Mantle8’s status as a technological frontrunner in the sector, especially in light of substantial investments being made by other nations like the USA, Russia, and Australia.

Chris Page, Executive Vice President of New Business Development at Viridien, expressed the commitment to collaborate on advancing the energy transition. He highlighted the value of combining Viridien’s unparalleled subsurface data with Mantle8’s innovative exploration technologies to facilitate faster and more accurate identification of natural hydrogen zones, thereby contributing to a cleaner energy future for the EMEA region.

This partnership builds on Mantle8's impressive momentum, having recently raised €3.4 million in seed funding from notable investors. The company has already reported high hydrogen concentrations at its Comminges prospect in the French Pyrenees, utilizing the Serel sensors alongside its proprietary imaging technology.

These pioneering efforts have yielded the first-ever images of an active hydrogen system, validating Mantle8’s exploration methodology and reinforcing the viability of natural hydrogen as a low-cost, low-carbon energy solution. Full results from this initiative are anticipated by September 2025, setting the stage for a transformative era in natural hydrogen exploration.