Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources
This master's programme prepares you to understand and rigorously assess the energy resources of the marine subsurface. You will work with marine geology, exploration methods and reservoir assessment, with natural hydrogen as a dedicated focus.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources?
This master's degree prepares you to understand and assess the energy resources of the marine subsurface, with particular attention to natural hydrogen, an emerging field whose commercial potential is still being studied. It covers the geological processes that generate hydrogen (such as serpentinisation and the geology of margins and ridges), geophysical and geochemical exploration, gas hydrates, submarine geothermal energy and geological storage.
All of this is approached from the standpoint of technical uncertainty, environmental impact and the regulatory framework.
What makes it different: a prudent approach, applied geoscience, a joint view of resources, risk and regulation, and a project of your own.
Programme highlights
- Origin: how hydrogen is generated and migrates in the crust.
- Exploration: geophysical and geochemical methods.
- Assessment: estimation of uncertainties and potential.
- Risk: safety, environmental impact and regulation.
- Career: energy exploration, research and consultancy.
- Positioning: training at one of the frontiers of marine subsurface energy.
Syllabus of the Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Geology of the Marine Subsurface
- 1.1. Structure of the oceanic lithosphere
- 1.2. Plate tectonics and ocean floors
- 1.3. Mid-ocean ridges and fracture zones
- 1.4. Active and passive continental margins
- 1.5. Marine sedimentary basins
- 1.6. Ultramafic rocks and ophiolites
- 1.7. Fluids in the oceanic crust
- 1.8. Porosity and permeability
- 1.9. Fault systems and fluid migration
- 1.10. Geological mapping of the seabed
Fundamentals of Natural Hydrogen
- 2.1. What natural or geological hydrogen is
- 2.2. History of its discovery and study
- 2.3. Serpentinisation of ultramafic rocks
- 2.4. Radiolysis of water
- 2.5. Oxidation of ferrous iron
- 2.6. Hydrogen of deep origin
- 2.7. Microbial consumption of hydrogen
- 2.8. Associated abiotic reactions
- 2.9. Surface indications of seepage
- 2.10. Current state of scientific knowledge
Hydrogen Systems in the Marine Environment
- 3.1. Hydrogen in hydrothermal fields
- 3.2. Serpentinisation at slow-spreading ridges
- 3.3. Off-axis hydrothermal systems
- 3.4. Hydrogen in margins and accretionary prisms
- 3.5. Potential reservoir rocks and seals
- 3.6. Hypothetical traps and accumulations
- 3.7. Hydrogen dissolved in fluids
- 3.8. Interaction with microbial communities
- 3.9. Differences from onshore systems
- 3.10. Open research questions
Marine Geophysical Exploration
- 4.1. Principles of geophysical exploration
- 4.2. 2D and 3D reflection seismics
- 4.3. Refraction and high-resolution seismics
- 4.4. Marine gravimetry and magnetometry
- 4.5. Marine electromagnetic methods
- 4.6. Multibeam bathymetry
- 4.7. Side-scan sonar and sub-bottom profilers
- 4.8. Integration of geophysical data
- 4.9. Structural seismic interpretation
- 4.10. Limitations in detecting hydrogen
Geochemistry and Subsurface Sampling
- 5.1. Gas geochemistry
- 5.2. Hydrogen and carbon isotopes
- 5.3. Pore water sampling
- 5.4. Sediment cores
- 5.5. Hydrothermal fluid sampling
- 5.6. In situ chemical sensors
- 5.7. Laboratory analysis
- 5.8. Distinguishing natural hydrogen from artefacts
- 5.9. Geochemical databases
- 5.10. Design of sampling campaigns
Drilling, Wells and Reservoir Characterisation
- 6.1. Types of offshore drilling
- 6.2. Drilling rigs and drillships
- 6.3. Scientific ocean drilling
- 6.4. Well logs
- 6.5. Formation tests
- 6.6. Petrophysical characterisation
- 6.7. Integrity of hydrogen wells
- 6.8. Embrittlement and materials
- 6.9. Static reservoir models
- 6.10. Dynamic models and simulation
Resource Assessment and Uncertainty
- 7.1. Resources versus reserves
- 7.2. Resource classification systems
- 7.3. Prospect analysis
- 7.4. Probabilistic estimation
- 7.5. Geological exploration risk
- 7.6. Production scenarios
- 7.7. Project life cycle
- 7.8. Preliminary economic assessment
- 7.9. Communicating uncertainty
- 7.10. Lessons from other energy resources
Other Energy Resources of the Marine Subsurface
- 8.1. Gas hydrates: nature and distribution
- 8.2. Challenges of hydrate exploitation
- 8.3. Submarine geothermal energy and volcanism
- 8.4. Natural gas and the energy transition
- 8.5. Helium and other associated gases
- 8.6. Fluid-related mineral resources
- 8.7. Interaction between subsurface uses
- 8.8. Repurposing of offshore infrastructure
- 8.9. Comparison of resources
- 8.10. Research trends
Geological Storage and Subsurface Uses
- 9.1. The subsurface as an energy store
- 9.2. Geological storage of CO2
- 9.3. Underground hydrogen storage
- 9.4. Deep saline aquifers
- 9.5. Depleted reservoirs
- 9.6. Storage monitoring
- 9.7. Leakage risks and induced seismicity
- 9.8. Planning of underground space
- 9.9. Compatibility between uses
- 9.10. Offshore reference cases
Environment, Safety and Regulation
- 10.1. Subsurface and seabed ecosystems
- 10.2. Environmental impact assessment
- 10.3. Process safety with hydrogen
- 10.4. Management of emissions and leaks
- 10.5. UNCLOS and jurisdiction over the subsoil
- 10.6. Continental shelf and exclusive economic zone
- 10.7. Energy licensing frameworks
- 10.8. Social acceptance and transparency
- 10.9. Governance of emerging resources
- 10.10. Ethics of exploration
Master's Final Project: Preliminary Assessment of a Marine Subsurface Resource
- 11.1. Selection of the area and the resource
- 11.2. Literature review
- 11.3. Regional geological context
- 11.4. Compilation of available data
- 11.5. Conceptual model of the system
- 11.6. Uncertainty analysis
- 11.7. Preliminary environmental assessment
- 11.8. Applicable regulatory framework
- 11.9. Writing the report
- 11.10. Defence before a panel
Duration and format of the Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources
Career opportunities after the Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources
Questions about the Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources
Not commercially. It is an emerging field still under research; the master's analyses its potential with caution, without taking its viability for granted.
It helps, but it is not essential. The programme includes modules on the fundamentals of geology and geochemistry.
Yes. Public bathymetry, seismic, geochemical and scientific ocean drilling data are used.
Because they share exploration methods and assessment challenges, and they broaden your career opportunities.
A preliminary assessment of a marine subsurface resource, with a conceptual model, uncertainties, impact and regulatory framework.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme has a workload of 1500 hours. You can progress at your own pace within the schedule we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, which is shown on this page and confirmed by the admissions team when you request information.
More programmes in Marine energy
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: a degree in Geology, Marine Science, Mining or Petroleum Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or a related field, or accredited professional experience in the energy or geoscience sector.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction to follow classes; basic technical English recommended.
- Equipment: a computer, a stable connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, profile review and a short interview.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.