Protium Clean Energy Corp. to Conduct Satellite Gas Surveys in British Columbia

Protium Clean Energy Corp. is set to embark on an ambitious satellite gas survey initiative in British Columbia, aligning closely with the province's Clean Energy Strategy. This initiative aims to identify and explore natural hydrogen deposits, potentially uncovering new sources of clean energy that could significantly contribute to BC's goal of achieving a net-zero economy by 2050.



The province's Clean Energy Strategy emphasizes the need to produce more clean electricity and fuels, such as renewable natural gas, hydrogen, and biofuels, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. Protium's initiative to identify and explore natural hydrogen deposits in the Temiskaming Claim Block and surrounding areas directly supports this goal by potentially uncovering new sources of clean energy.

The survey results indicate that the region has favorable geological conditions for natural hydrogen accumulation, including deep-rooted fault systems, sedimentary layers, and structural traps. These findings are particularly noteworthy as the world's largest natural hydrogen deposit was discovered in 2024 in Albania, approximately 30 km from an LAB line, similar to the distance of Protium's Firstbrook Claims from the Lithosphere-Asthenosphere Boundary (LAB).

This alignment with the province's strategy could bring several potential benefits:

1. Economic Opportunities: The discovery of natural hydrogen deposits could create new economic opportunities for the region, including job creation and the development of a hydrogen-based industry. This aligns with BC's Clean Energy Strategy, which aims to drive innovation and clean energy technology, creating jobs and supporting sustainable growth.

2. Energy Security: By identifying new sources of clean energy, Protium's initiative could enhance energy security for the region, reducing dependency on imported fuels and making the energy supply more resilient to climate change. This is in line with BC's goal to build a clean economy that is resilient, reliable, and secure.

3. Environmental Benefits: The use of natural hydrogen as a clean energy source could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to BC's goal of lowering climate-changing emissions by 40% by 2030. As stated in the Clean Energy Strategy, "Burning fossil fuels is changing our climate – creating more extreme weather, bigger forest fires, deeper droughts and more frequent flooding throughout BC." The discovery and utilization of natural hydrogen could help mitigate these effects.

4. Industry Collaboration: Protium's initiative could also foster collaboration between the company and other industries, including renewable energy providers and hydrogen technology developers. This collaboration is essential for the successful implementation of BC's Clean Energy Strategy, which requires a whole-of-BC effort to achieve its goals.

However, Protium Clean Energy Corp. might face several key technological and logistical challenges in conducting their satellite gas surveys, which could impact their investment prospects. One of the primary challenges is the complexity of accurately detecting and mapping hydrogen gas, especially in deep-rooted fault systems and potential buried hydrogen reservoirs. As mentioned in the survey results, "The deep hydrogen mapping successfully delineated target areas for further field follow-up soil testing on the Firstbrook Claims. Regionally, it identified further areas having the potential for deep-sourced hydrogen, including deep-rooted fault systems and potential buried hydrogen reservoirs." This indicates that the technology used for these surveys must be highly sensitive and precise to detect hydrogen at significant depths, which can be technically demanding and costly.

Another logistical challenge is the vast area that needs to be surveyed. The survey covered an 11,000 sq. km area centered on Lake Temiskaming and the surrounding region, which requires extensive resources and time. The survey results state, "Hydrogen targets were outlined on Protium's Firstbrook Claims and numerous areas, including the QIMC Saint Bruno de Guiges claims in the surveyed region and other four gases (helium, radon, methane, and carbon dioxide) were detected in the area." This extensive survey area necessitates efficient logistics and coordination to ensure comprehensive coverage and accurate data collection.

Additionally, the geology of the region presents unique challenges. The Temiskaming Graben is seismically active, and the survey results mention that "The Temiskaming Graben is seismically active in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone. Reactivating faults have resulted in earthquakes, with earthquake epicenters close to several major graben faults." This seismic activity can complicate the interpretation of survey data and may require additional safety measures and precautions during field operations.

These challenges could impact Protium Clean Energy Corp.'s investment prospects by increasing the costs and risks associated with their exploration activities. The need for advanced technology, extensive resources, and careful logistical planning could lead to higher operational expenses. Furthermore, the potential for seismic activity and the complexity of detecting deep-sourced hydrogen could introduce uncertainties that may deter investors. However, if the company successfully overcomes these challenges and demonstrates the viability of their hydrogen exploration projects, it could attract significant investment and position itself as a leader in the clean energy sector.



In conclusion, Protium Clean Energy Corp.'s satellite gas survey initiative in British Columbia aligns closely with the province's Clean Energy Strategy, offering potential benefits such as economic opportunities, enhanced energy security, environmental sustainability, and industry collaboration. However, the company must navigate significant technological and logistical challenges to realize these benefits and attract investment. The success of this initiative could position Protium as a key player in the clean energy sector, contributing to BC's transition to a net-zero economy.