Home/Programmes/Master’s degrees/Master's in Natural Hydrogen and Seabed Energy Resources

Master’s degree · Marine energy

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.

100% online1,500 hours11 modulesTaught in EnglishEnrol any time

What is this programme?

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.

Study plan

01Geology of the Marine Subsurface136 h
Oceanic lithosphere, tectonics, ridges, margins, basins, ophiolites, fluids, porosity and seabed mapping.
02Fundamentals of Natural Hydrogen136 h
Definition, history, serpentinisation, radiolysis, iron oxidation, microbial consumption and the current state of knowledge.
03Hydrogen Systems in the Marine Environment136 h
Hydrothermal fields, slow-spreading ridges, margins and accretionary prisms, reservoir rocks, traps and open questions.
04Marine Geophysical Exploration136 h
2D/3D seismics, refraction, gravimetry, magnetometry, electromagnetics, bathymetry, sonar and interpretation, with their limitations for detecting hydrogen.
05Geochemistry and Subsurface Sampling136 h
Gases, isotopes, pore water, cores, hydrothermal fluids, sensors, analysis and survey design.
06Drilling, Wells and Reservoir Characterisation136 h
Drilling types, well logging, tests, petrophysics, well integrity, embrittlement and reservoir models.
07Resource Assessment and Uncertainty136 h
Resources versus reserves, classification, prospect analysis, probabilistic estimation, risk, scenarios and economic evaluation.
08Other Energy Resources of the Marine Subsurface136 h
Hydrates, geothermal energy, natural gas, helium, associated minerals and the interaction between uses.
09Geological Storage and Uses of the Subsurface136 h
CO2 and hydrogen storage, saline aquifers, depleted reservoirs, monitoring, leakage and planning.
10Environment, Safety and Regulation136 h
Ecosystems, environmental impact, safety, emissions, UNCLOS, licensing, social acceptance and ethics.
11Final Master's Project136 h
Preliminary assessment of a resource, from area selection to the written report and defence before a panel.

Duration and format

1,500hours in total
11modules of 136 hours
100%online, at your own pace
Openenrolment all year round

At 10 hours a week you would finish in about 150 weeks; at 20 hours a week, in about 75.

What you will learn

  • Understand the geology of natural hydrogen.
  • Know the marine geological environments.
  • Apply exploration techniques.
  • Assess resources under uncertainty.
  • Analyse other subsurface resources.
  • Integrate risk, environment and regulation.

Career outcomes

  • Exploration geoscientist.
  • Natural hydrogen specialist.
  • Geological storage technician.
  • Subsurface resources consultant.
  • Energy policy analyst.
  • Researcher in marine geosciences.

Entry requirements

  • 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.

How to enrol

Enrol online

Complete your enrolment on this page, or apply through admissions if you prefer to talk to us first.

Receive your access

We send you the details to enter the virtual campus and start the programme.

Study at your pace

Work through the modules when it suits you and complete the programme from anywhere in the world.

More programmes in Marine energy

See the whole area →

Professional diplomaHull and naval architecture

Professional Diploma in Offshore Concrete Construction

This professional diploma prepares you to take part in the design and construction of offshore concrete structures, such as gravity-based foundations. You will work on…

100% online800 hours8 modules
$1,020View programme →
Short courseMarine energy

Desalination and Hydrogen Production Course

This course prepares you to solve the water supply for green hydrogen projects in coastal areas. You will learn desalination processes, water quality requirements for …

100% online300 hours5 modules
$400View programme →
Professional diplomaBridge and navigation

Professional Diploma in Dynamic Positioning (DP) and Offshore Support Vessels

This professional diploma prepares you to work with the dynamic positioning systems that keep vessels on station. You will work on reference sensors, redundancy classe…

100% online800 hours8 modules
$960View programme →
Scroll to Top