France: prospecting permit for underground hydrogen storage granted to Storengy

An exclusive prospecting permit for underground salt formations suitable for hydrogen storage, known as the "Nancy Licence", has been granted to Storengy SA, according to an order issued by the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty on 05/09/2025 and published in the Journal officiel on 06/09/2025.

The licence is granted for a period of five years, until 06/09/2030. The 294.8 km² area concerned is located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle département (Lorraine).

There are nearly 600 underground storage sites worldwide (including 23 in France), mainly dedicated to the storage of natural gas and hydrocarbons. The storage of hydrogen in a salt cavern is being studied, in particular because of the natural impermeability offered by salt.

The maps and the order are available for consultation:

• at the Direction générale de l'énergie et du climat, bureau des ressources énergétiques du sous-sol, tour Séquoia, 1, place Carpeaux, 92800 Puteaux ;
• the Grand Est regional directorate for the environment, development and housing (department for the prevention of…