QEM is looking into green hydrogen opportunities at its flagship Julia Creek vanadium and oil shale project in North-West Queensland.

The company said it would investigate the financial and regulatory requirements to produce hydrogen using a “green” solar-powered electrolyser.

It expected that the hydrogen would initially be used as a support to the energy needs of other resources projects located in the North West Minerals Province, but ultimately for the hydrogeneration of its own raw oil into transport fuels, QEM said.

It has appointed E2C Advisory to assist in its assessment of capital and operating costs.

“The commissioning of these studies will lay the groundwork to advance our green hydrogen strategy at Julia Creek, amid increasingly buoyant market conditions and the project’s optimal location and resource profile to produce hydrogen on-site,” QEM managing director Gavin Loyden said.

“For example, the Queensland state government established a ministry for hydrogen in November 2020, as the State Government seeks to encourage investment into the bourgeoning market.

“Crucially, the hydrogen strategy aligns with the broader strategic direction of Julia Creek, as QEM looks to target both the liquid fuels and renewable energy sectors.”

State appoints expert hydrogen team

It comes as the Queensland Government mobilises a specialist hydrogen team of industry experts to fast-track the establishment of a sustainable hydrogen supply chain.

Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni announced in Parliament on Friday that Professor Peta Ashworth would lead the seven-member expert taskforce.

Mr de Brenni said this dovetailed with the Queensland Government’s $60 million investment across multiple programs and initiatives that are growing the hydrogen industry and future hydrogen jobs in Queensland.

“This includes $32.6 million invested to support training and skills development and $25 million for the Hydrogen Industry Development Fund,” he said.

“The taskforce will leverage our traditional strengths in the resources sector, coupled with developing plans to utilise our existing public infrastructure such as pipeline corridors, power generators and ports so we can take renewable hydrogen to the world.”

QEM continues focus on vanadium and oil shale production

Mr Loyden said QEM remained committed to continuing the development of Julia Creek to unlock the substantial latent value the vanadium and oil shale project possessed.

The QEM vanadium/oil shale project covers 249.6sq km in the Julia Creek area of North-West Queensland.

It hosts a JORC resource of 2760Mt with an average vanadium pentoxide content of 0.30 per cent and a 3C Contingent Oil Resource of 783 MMbbls.

The company has been carrying out test work to fine tune the best processing route for the optimum balance of oil and vanadium extraction.