GeoKiln and RAKEA partner on subsurface hydrogen development
GeoKiln Energy Innovation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ras Al Khaimah Energy Authority (RAKEA) to explore the development of subsurface hydrogen resources in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, marking a significant step forward for emerging geologic hydrogen technologies in the Middle East.
The agreement will support technical studies, subsurface data analysis, and the design of a potential pilot project aimed at validating GeoKiln’s proprietary Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen (MSSH™) technology in field conditions. The collaboration is expected to focus on assessing geological suitability, refining stimulation parameters, and establishing a pathway toward future commercial-scale hydrogen production.
Under the MOU, RAKEA will provide access to relevant geological and subsurface data while supporting local coordination efforts. GeoKiln will contribute its subsurface heating technology, engineering workflows, and operational expertise to evaluate and potentially execute pilot operations in Ras Al Khaimah.
GeoKiln’s MSSH™ approach applies thermal and reservoir engineering techniques traditionally used in the oil and gas industry to produce hydrogen directly within geological formations. The company says the process could create a scalable, low-carbon hydrogen production pathway while leveraging existing industrial infrastructure and supply chains, potentially reducing both development costs and deployment timelines compared with conventional hydrogen production methods.
The project also represents a strategic expansion of GeoKiln’s technology into the Gulf region, where growing interest in hydrogen and low-carbon energy solutions is aligning with broader regional energy transition strategies.
“This is a defining moment for GeoKiln as we bring our technology into a region with exceptional geological potential and a clear vision for the future of energy,” said Dr Alexei Tcherniak, CEO and Co-Founder of GeoKiln Energy Innovation. “We are opening a fundamentally new pathway to hydrogen production, one that leverages geology, engineering, and existing industrial capabilities to create a scalable and economically viable solution.”
GeoKiln added that the agreement establishes a framework to evaluate what it describes as one of the Middle East’s most prospective geologic hydrogen regions, including a potential pathway toward preferred commercial rights covering up to 100 square kilometres in Ras Al Khaimah.
The company is part of the Breakthrough Energy Fellows programme, which supports early-stage climate technologies with the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions at scale.
The partnership reflects increasing global interest in alternative hydrogen production technologies beyond traditional electrolysis and natural gas reforming, particularly solutions capable of delivering lower-cost and lower-carbon hydrogen for industrial and energy applications.
