(Audubon) A pioneering company focused on locating naturally occurring hydrogen is setting its sights on Audubon County.
Representatives from Snowfox Discovery, a natural hydrogen exploration company, appeared before the Audubon County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday afternoon to outline their plans. Chief Commercial Officer Tom Allan says Snowfox intends to use conventional oil and gas drilling techniques to extract natural hydrogen, which could then be used to produce anhydrous ammonia locally for area farmers.
Allan emphasized that Snowfox is not a short-term operation. He says the company is committed to the long haul, with both personal and financial ties to Iowa, and plans to carry out an exploration program over the next three to five years. According to Allan, the key opportunity in Audubon County is ammonia production—an essential agricultural input.
Chief Exploration Officer Michael Lawson explained that Audubon County lies within a unique geological feature that stretches from Kansas through Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and into Michigan. Lawson says Iowa’s rock composition is particular, and multiple geological factors must align for natural hydrogen to be present. Over the past six months, an independent professional landman has been working with local landowners in Audubon County as part of the early exploration process.
Allan acknowledged that the project represents a new concept and understands there may be concerns among residents. He says Snowfox is committed to transparency and open communication as the project moves forward.
The company has developed a detailed digital 3D map of what lies beneath Iowa, combining data from more than 8,500 existing drill holes, surface geology, and deep imaging technology similar to ultrasound that allows scientists to see miles below the ground without digging. Officials say the map becomes more accurate as additional data is collected, and Snowfox plans to share key findings with the Iowa Geological Survey.
For Audubon County, the new data could help improve understanding of local water supplies. Officials say it may assist the Iowa Geological Survey in building a more accurate water map, allowing the county to predict water availability for farms and homes better while protecting existing wells.
Meanwhile, Tom Allan and Michael Lawson are meeting with area landowners this week to explain the project further and answer questions.
