Chevron New Energies, a division of Chevron USA Inc., is developing a 5-MW hydrogen production project in California’s Central Valley. The project aims to create hydrogen using solar power and non-potable produced water from Chevron’s existing assets at the Lost Hills Oil Field in Kern County.
Chevron’s 220-acre (89-ha), 29-MW solar field has been providing 80% of the power for the company’s Lost Hills Oil Field since April 2022. “The solar facility, the infrastructure, and the availability of water are helping us move into the hydrogen market,” said Ben Leonard, hydrogen commercial manager at Chevron New Energies.
Low-carbon intensity electrolytic hydrogen will be produced through electrolysis. One of the facility’s key features will be its use of water produced as a byproduct of oil and gas operations. Electricity generated from the solar plant will be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will then be compressed and transported to facilities that use hydrogen as a fuel.
Lost Hills represents the first Chevron-only commercial electrolytic hydrogen project. Hydrogen production is slated to begin in early 2026. The plant is expected to be capable of producing 2.4 tons (2.2 tonnes) per day.
