Stanmore’s Isaac Plains mining fleet at Moranbah may be running on hydrogen in future through a deal with gas proponent Blue Energy.

Blue Energy has executed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Stanmore Resources to supply hydrogen from future pilot production activities in its ATP 814 tenement in the Bowen Basin.

It follows an earlier deal between the parties to capture and market mine gas from Stanmore’s proposed Isaac Plains underground operation adjacent to Blue’s ATP814 tenement.

Blue Energy announced today that it was investigating the potential for conversion of pre-development gas production to hydrogen to supply Stanmore’s Isaac Plains Complex equipment fleet.

The gas used by Blue for conversion to hydrogen will be pilot gas which would otherwise be flared, meaning the trial project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Blue’s activities while also reducing diesel fuel usage by Stanmore.

“Being able to avoid flaring of pilot gas production by converting it to hydrogen is a step forward in reducing emissions prior to gas developments, and in this case has the added bonus of also lowering emissions from
neighboring mining operations,” Blue Energy managing director John Phillips said.

Blue looking into the use of portable off-the-shelf modular hydrogen generation equipment that could be installed either centrally or at the well head.

The hydrogen generated would be transported in purpose-built cylinders to Stanmore’s Isaac Plains Complex site for use in their vehicle fleet.

The company said it was in the process of establishing technology partners for the hydrogen trial.