Mantle8 begins natural hydrogen exploration in Ras Al Khaimah

French natural hydrogen exploration company Mantle8 has commenced fieldwork in Ras Al Khaimah under an agreement with the emirate's Department of Energy, securing an exclusive right to negotiate an exploration contract for Block 7. The programme, announced on 10 November 2026, will run for up to 24 months and begins with the deployment of more than 1,000 passive seismic sensors in the Hajar Mountains.

Geophysical survey methodology and technology deployment#

Mantle8 will deploy approximately 1,000 passive seismic sensors to build a subsurface image of the area, according to Sylvain Marcant, chief commercial officer at Mantle8, cited by Al-Monitor. The company will apply its HOREX 4D passive seismic imaging technology in combination with GeoLogix and APoGeH systems, according to Tahawultech. Field sampling of gas, water and rock will be conducted alongside analysis of existing subsurface information. The initial stage is non-invasive and will not involve drilling. The data will be combined with field sampling to identify where hydrogen is being generated, how it migrates and where it accumulates.

Geological setting and exploration rationale#

Ras Al Khaimah sits at the northern end of the Semail Ophiolite, one of the world's largest exposed sections of oceanic crust. The area's ultrabasic rocks, active fault systems and observed hydrogen seeps provide geological indicators for further investigation into hydrogen generation beneath the surface, Marcant told Al-Monitor. Emmanuel Masini, founder and chief executive officer of Mantle8, stated that geological work points to additional mantle formations at depth that could enhance the region's hydrogen potential, according to Tahawultech. The agreement creates a pathway from initial data acquisition to a potential commercial contract covering exploratory drilling and subsequent development, contingent on the survey's findings.

Company operations and regional presence#

Mantle8 is funding the exploration programme directly and opened a permanent office in Dubai for its Middle East operations, according to Tahawultech. Jean-Valery Garcia was appointed Regional Director, Middle East, in September 2026. The company's exploration activities now extend across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, with the Ras Al Khaimah programme joining that portfolio. The Grenoble-based company raised €31 million in a Series A funding round earlier in 2026, according to Tahawultech.

Natural hydrogen characteristics and applications#

Natural hydrogen is generated by geological processes within the Earth's crust, unlike manufactured hydrogen which is produced industrially. Natural hydrogen does not produce carbon dioxide emissions when burned, according to Al-Monitor. Hydrogen has applications in industries including refining, ammonia production and chemicals. Natural hydrogen could replace hydrogen currently produced from natural gas, with the potential to reduce both cost and emissions, Marcant told Al-Monitor. Ras Al Khaimah's industrial base and port infrastructure position it to serve industrial demand, he added.