Australia’s QEM explores producing green hydrogen at Julia Creek

QEM Limited, a publicly listed company with a focus on the exploration and development of the 250km² Julia Creek project, has started exploring green hydrogen opportunities at its Julia Creek vanadium and oil shale project in North Queensland, Australia.

The goal is to assess the financial and regulatory requirements required for the production of green hydrogen at the site. QEM aims to use hydrogen in other sites initially but will ultimately be utilising to hydrogenate its raw oil into transport fuels.

QEM would seek various approvals from the state government, including access to water resources for the plant electrolysis process once the initial study completed. It has hired E2C Advisory Pty Ltd, which it previously appointed to work on processing technology utilising a hydrocarbon solution for oil shale extraction.

Gavin Loyden, QEM Managing Director, said, “Crucially, the hydrogen strategy aligns with the broader strategic direction of Julia Creek, as QEM looks to target both the liquid fuels and renewable energy sectors.”

Hydrogen is a critical element for the hydrogenation of oil. The last year site test results showed utilisation of a hydrocarbon solution for oil shale extraction at the site resulted in oil yields up to 181 kg/tonne.