Natural hydrogen fire

In 1987, well diggers had drilled a well for water, but had given up on one dry borehole at a depth of 108 meters. According to the source reported in the References, “…wind was coming out of the hole”. When one driller peered into the hole while smoking a cigarette, the so-called wind exploded in his face. A huge fire followed, without smoke, looking bluish at daytime and colour and goldish at night.
The crew needed weeks before being able to stop the fire and cap the well. The well remained capped until 2007, when well gas was analysed and revealed to consist in hydrogen with a purity of 98%.

The existence of natural hydrogen, also called white hydrogen or geological hydrogen, was scarcely known even among geologists. It is probable that the crew looking for water in this event had limited knowledge of the risks related to other type of mining.

water well

This well in Mali has been the first recognised natural (or geological) hydrogen well. It is also exploited for production of energy.

The worker reported burns of unknown grade.

The crew needed weeks before being able to stop the fire and cap the well.

The drilling company was looking for water. They 'wind' coming from the well could have been just air, or any type of gas. Without dedicated detection system and characteristic odours, it is almost impossible to identify with certainty the presence and composition of combustible gases.