At European Hydrogen Week in Brussels, Mantle8 presented an open letter calling on the European Commission to give natural hydrogen a fair opportunity to be explored. Initiated by Mantle8 and led by Hydrogen Europe, the letter brings together more than 30 organisations from across the energy sector. It was handed over in person to European Commission representatives on 28 October 2026.

“We initiated this letter because Europe needs to give natural hydrogen a fair opportunity to be explored,” said Emmanuel Masini, Founder and CEO of Mantle8.

Europe’s energy challenge

Europe’s reliance on imported fossil fuels is a strategic vulnerability. In 2024, net imports met 57% of the EU’s energy needs, and in 2025 the EU imported around €340 billion worth of fossil fuels. At the same time, Europe must decarbonise its economy, restore industrial competitiveness and supply affordable clean molecules to sectors that cannot rely on direct electrification alone. Meeting these goals requires Europe to develop every credible domestic low-carbon energy source.

Why natural hydrogen

Unlike hydrogen produced from electricity or fossil fuels, natural hydrogen is generated by geological processes and can accumulate in underground reservoirs. If recovered safely, economically and at scale, it would not be just another way of producing hydrogen: it would be a new primary energy source. It could complement, rather than replace, renewable and other low-carbon hydrogen.

The opportunity is industrial as well as geological. It spans geoscience, drilling, subsurface monitoring, separation, purification, equipment, services and skilled jobs, and it can draw on the capabilities and infrastructure of Europe’s oil, gas and mining sectors.

The case for exploring now

Natural hydrogen exists, but its commercial potential remains unproven. Key questions remain about reservoir productivity, recharge and recoverability. As the letter puts it: “Those uncertainties are the case for exploring, not for waiting.”

The European Commission has taken welcome first steps, including the €2 million H2-QUEST research project and a 12-month DG GROW pilot to assess Europe’s natural hydrogen potential. But research and mapping alone will not create an investable exploration market.

Meanwhile, other regions are moving faster. The United States has committed $20 million to 16 projects, Brazil recognises geological hydrogen in its hydrogen law, and the Philippines and Saskatchewan (Canada) have opened areas and permits for exploration. Europe risks doing the science while others capture the technology, capital and jobs.

Four priorities for the European Commission

1. A clear right to explore: EU guidance for Member States to recognise natural hydrogen as a distinct resource and decide on exploration applications within six months, with robust environmental safeguards and early engagement with local communities.
2. Access to subsurface data: open, affordable access to publicly funded geological data and a European natural hydrogen atlas.
3. A €1 billion exploration envelope: funding for around 50 exploration and appraisal wells across at least 10 Member States. This is less than 0.3% of Europe’s 2025 fossil-fuel import bill, roughly one day of import spending.
4. A technology-neutral hydrogen framework: recognising natural hydrogen in the revised EU Hydrogen Strategy, with eligibility for certification and support based on lifecycle emissions performance.

What comes next

On 26 October, the European Commission launched a call for evidence on its revised EU Hydrogen Strategy, which mentions natural hydrogen. This is an important first step, and stakeholders can now contribute to the consultation.

Mantle8 stands ready to work with the European Commission, Member States and industry partners to build the framework, data and projects that will show what natural hydrogen can bring to Europe’s energy future.

📄 Read the full open letter
📰 Read the coverage in Renewable Energy Magazine
🗳️ Share your view in the EU consultation