Geologic Hydrogen Site Access Challenge

The Challenge tested a simple but unproven thesis: would a geologic hydrogen exploration company share proprietary well data with outside researchers? HyTerra's agreement to open access to data from its three newly drilled exploration wells in the U.S. Midcontinent Rift in eastern Kansas answered that question — giving researchers, for the first time, access to proprietary hydrogen exploration well data and the freedom to publish their findings openly.

The response underscored strong demand across the research community: the Chimaera Fund received 20 proposals from U.S. and international teams, many of exceptional technical caliber, with 12 advancing to full technical review. Selected proposals were evaluated for technical excellence, field-ready methods, a commitment to open publication, and the potential to deliver field-changing, transferable results within 12 months.

Three university research teams — from Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin, and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology — will conduct their research over the next 12 months, sharing data, methods, and findings publicly.