Natural Hydrogen Exploration by Koloma: status and timeline

Natural Hydrogen Exploration

Koloma searches for natural hydrogen formed by serpentinization. Holds exclusive rights in Philippines, Australia and US with seismic surveys.

ResearchStage 1 of 5

Three Philippine contracts, 4,100+ km². Seismic surveys show signs of hydrogen presence.

Checked 10 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · 2D seismic survey in Philippines

Company founded2021Complete.
Series A fundingAug 2022Complete.
First Philippine service contracts (SC 83, 84)Oct 2025Complete.
Third Philippine service contract (SC 92) awardedJul 2026Complete.
2D seismic survey in PhilippinesTarget 2026Current milestone.
Initial drilling and flow testsTarget 2027Not yet reached.

Upcoming

20262D seismic survey in Philippines (next)
2027Initial drilling and flow tests
20272D seismic survey completion

Current obstacles

Few known depositsNatural hydrogen exploration is nascent; deposits are rare and poorly characterized.
Cost-competitiveness unprovenExtraction must compete with green hydrogen from electrolysis or fossil hydrogen.

Physics limits

Slow formationSerpentinization occurs over thousands to millions of years. Depletion cannot be replenished on human timescales.
Hydrogen lossNatural hydrogen escapes through fractures or converts to methane. Only sealed structures accumulate commercial volumes.

How it works

3 parts

Formation

Serpentinization generates hydrogen

Groundwater reacting with iron-rich rock deep underground produces hydrogen gas that accumulates in porous layers.

Detection

Seismic mapping

2D surveys image subsurface structures where serpentinization likely occurs. Gradiometry targets the right rock types.

Production

Well extraction like oil

Wells drilled into confirmed deposits extract hydrogen, requiring minimal processing versus electrolysis.

Spec sheet

Spec	Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Philippines coverage	4,100+ km²^R (reported)
Active service contracts	3 (Philippines)^R (reported)
2D seismic survey in Philippines	132.6 km^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

About Koloma

The team behind Natural Hydrogen Exploration

Koloma

Natural hydrogen exploration, geologic hydrogen

Koloma explores for naturally occurring hydrogen formed by serpentinization, where groundwater reacts with iron-rich rock. Operating in the US, Australia and Philippines; three contracts cover 4,100+ km² with promising seismic data.

Raised $403M from Khosla Ventures, Amazon and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries across Series A and B.
Holds three Philippine contracts with 4,100+ km² coverage and promising seismic data.
First commercial natural hydrogen discovery would provide low-cost domestic energy for the region.

koloma.com (opens koloma.com)Company profile →

Founded: 20215 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Private
Valuation: $1.2Best. privateOct 2024estimate
Raised: $356M4 rounds
Last round: Series B extension · $50MOct 2024
Works in: EnergyHydrogen
Coverage: 1 program · 5 updateslatest 1 Jul 2026checked 10 Oct
Lead investors: AmazonMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesKhosla Ventures
Partners: Xcalibur Smart Mapping (opens koloma.com)Osaka Gas (opens koloma.com)
Investors: Khosla Ventures (opens koloma.com)Amazon (opens multiples.vc)Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (opens multiples.vc)
People: Pete JohnsonCEO and Co-founderTom DarrahCo-founder

Spec

Natural Hydrogen Exploration

Philippines coverage

4,100+ km²^R (reported)

Active service contracts

3 (Philippines)^R (reported)

2D seismic survey in Philippines

132.6 km^R (reported)