Gold H2, a climate technology energy company, has successfully completed the world’s first field trial for subsurface bio-stimulated hydrogen production in California’s San Joaquin Basin. Conducted in 2025, this trial utilized a legacy oilfield to demonstrate a novel approach to clean hydrogen generation, leveraging microbiology and existing infrastructure to produce low-carbon hydrogen without new drilling or energy-intensive facilities.

The trial employed Gold H2’s proprietary biotechnology, supported by ChampionX LLC, a global provider of advanced oilfield technologies. ChampionX ensured efficient deployment and validation of the process, which repurposes depleted oil reservoirs for sustainable hydrogen production. “Gold H2 exists to do what no one ever has: produce clean hydrogen directly in the subsurface using biology, engineering, and existing energy infrastructure,” said Prabhdeep Singh Sekhon, CEO of Gold H2. “This field trial is tangible proof.”

The initiative achieved a significant milestone by generating 400,000 ppm of hydrogen in produced gases, with 40% hydrogen in the gas stream, marking a global first for biologically stimulated hydrogen at a commercial scale. By using existing wells, the trial demonstrated the potential to transform end-of-life oilfields into hydrogen-producing assets, offering a scalable and cost-effective solution with targeted production costs below $0.50 per kilogram.

California’s depleted oilfields could produce up to 250 billion kilograms of low-carbon hydrogen, sufficient to power Los Angeles for over 50 years and avoid approximately one billion metric tons of CO? emissions. “This breakthrough isn’t just a step forward, it’s a leap toward climate impact at scale,” said Jillian Evanko, CEO and President at Chart Industries, Inc., a Gold H2 investor. The approach supports large-scale clean energy needs for grid power, data centers, and heavy industry.

ChampionX’s operational expertise was critical to the trial’s success. “ChampionX is proud to have supported this pioneering effort,” said Deric Bryant, COO and President of Chemical Technologies at ChampionX. The trial validated the technology’s readiness for commercial deployment, with Gold H2 planning additional pilots and partnerships across North America and globally.

This innovative process highlights the feasibility of repurposing existing infrastructure for clean energy production, offering a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly solution. Gold H2’s efforts pave the way for broader adoption of low-carbon hydrogen, supporting global decarbonization goals while maximizing the value of mature oilfields.