Fertile New Ground For America's Oil Workers | Opinion
Summary
The article argues that natural hydrogen exploration and production could create work for oil and gas workers because the industries use similar skills. It calls for federal support for exploration and workforce training, and says producing hydrogen near fertilizer plants could support local fertilizer supplies.Key Facts
- The article reports that U.S. oil and gas extraction employment was 115,100 in June 2026, down from 187,300 in January 2016, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- It says U.S. oil and gas production remained near record highs despite the employment decline.
- The article says the World Bank reported urea fertilizer prices rose above $850 per metric ton in April 2026, an 80 percent increase since February.
- Natural hydrogen forms underground, and the article says its exploration and production can use skills such as geology, land negotiation, and drilling.
- The author says workers may need targeted retraining to move from oil and gas work to natural hydrogen jobs.
- The article says hydrogen is difficult to transport over long distances and may be converted into products such as ammonia near where it is found.
- The author urges the federal government to include natural hydrogen in its hydrogen plans and support exploration and workforce development.
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