The future of clean energy just found an unexpected ally: microbes. Abandoned oil wells, long seen as environmental and financial burdens, are now being repurposed in ways that could redefine the energy landscape. Eclipse Energy, a biotech startup, has introduced a groundbreaking way to turn idle oil wells into hydrogen factories. As someone who has always believed in the power of multidisciplinary approaches, I see this development as a significant step not only for energy innovation but also for startups willing to challenge traditional norms.
The Opportunity Hidden Underground
Across the United States, millions of oil and gas wells remain unused. These sites are often considered liabilities, leaking methane and other pollutants, and many energy companies lack the financial incentive to clean them up. But Eclipse Energy sees dormant value here. By employing carefully selected microbes, naturally found in oil reservoirs, the company transforms residual oil into hydrogen, an energy source central to global decarbonization efforts. This technology not only addresses the environmental concerns of abandoned wells but also creates a revenue stream from what was once considered waste.
The startup’s solution is elegantly simple: inject microbes into these wells, where they thrive by consuming remaining hydrocarbons and converting them into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. Hydrogen surfaces and becomes a valuable product, while half of the CO₂ emissions remain sequestered underground, significantly mitigating environmental impact.
Building a Business on Biotechnology
Eclipse Energy, based in Houston and previously known as Gold H2, is a remarkable example of a young business leveraging biotechnology to solve an entrenched problem. Their technique starts with a detailed analysis to identify the most effective microbial strains. These microbes, discovered at the oil-water interface of reservoirs, are then deployed in the well. They do the heavy lifting by breaking hydrocarbons into hydrogen, a process that requires no additional drilling or energy-intense infrastructure.
One of Eclipse’s most notable accomplishments came during field trials in California. The company tested the method in the San Joaquin Basin, transforming a depleted oilfield into a small-scale hydrogen production site. The success of this pilot gave Eclipse the momentum to secure strategic collaborations, including an operational partnership with Weatherford International, a key player in oilfield services.
For startups looking to emulate Eclipse's approach, the foundations are clear:
- Identify Underutilized Resources: Start by evaluating assets others have overlooked, then investigate ways existing technology can turn these liabilities into revenue streams.
- Collaborate with Industry Leaders: Eclipse leveraged Weatherford's logistics and operational expertise to scale globally. Think about partners who can strengthen your reach.
- Focus on Scalability Early: After the pilot phase, consider how your solution performs at increasing levels of production and across multiple geographies.
Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs
The beauty of Eclipse’s model isn’t just in its scientific foundation but in its business potential. It combines resource efficiency with sustainability, making it easier to secure investment in an economy that increasingly prioritizes Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Hydrogen’s role in decarbonizing industries is undeniable. Global demand for hydrogen is expected to grow dramatically over the next decade, driven by sectors like transportation, heavy industry, and power generation.
Cost-wise, Eclipse is targeting an incredibly competitive production price of approximately $0.50/kg. To put this into perspective, traditional “grey hydrogen” production costs range from $1.50, $2.00/kg, not including the associated environmental fees. Meanwhile, the much-lauded “green hydrogen” (derived from renewable-powered electrolysis) is struggling to reach cost parity. Eclipse’s approach could disrupt these economics entirely by balancing affordability with sustainability.
How You Can Innovate Like Eclipse Energy
- Find Cross-Disciplinary Inspiration: At Eclipse, the marriage of microbiology and energy demonstrates the power of blending fields that may not traditionally intersect. Look into untapped intersections relevant to your sector.
- Understand Deployment Rigor: Biotech-driven industries often need stringent testing before hitting the market. Acknowledge the time it takes to align your innovation with market acceptance.
- Prepare for ESG Scrutiny: Pitch your innovation not only on economic viability but also on its environmental impact. Investors are watching this space closely.
- Prioritize Existing Infrastructure: Much like the transformation of oil wells, think about how your solution can integrate with or repurpose infrastructure already in place. This shortcut saves money and accelerates deployment.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
It's tempting to oversimplify ambitious projects like Eclipse’s microbial solution, but challenges are inevitable. First, scaling biological processes from field trials to global deployment is never straightforward. Each reservoir has unique characteristics that could impact microbial performance, a risk that Eclipse has mitigated through extensive reservoir testing.
Additionally, entrepreneurs can learn from the potential backlash in industries targeting fossil fuel alternatives. There’s often resistance from stakeholders afraid of rapid shifts away from established norms. Building partnerships early, as Eclipse did, ensures buy-in from players who might otherwise be apprehensive.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the regulatory landscape. Eclipse works in a tightly controlled industry where compliance rules are non-negotiable. For startups, ignoring this early is costly.
The Potential Ripple Effect
If successful at scale, Eclipse Energy’s approach could inspire the next generation of startups to see the fossil fuel industry as an ally, transforming liabilities into solutions rather than perpetuating historic divides. Decarbonization strategies will evolve faster when startups think beyond emissions reductions and into reimagined production cycles.
For example, could other biological processes use existing oilfield infrastructure? What’s stopping similar microbes being developed for methane capture? These ideas push the boundaries of what legacy industries can contribute to a greener planet.
Wrapping It All Together
What we’re seeing with Eclipse Energy is not just a technical achievement but a vision brought to life through strategy, partnerships, and deep scientific exploration. Repurposing abandoned oil wells to supply low-cost hydrogen could revolutionize how we conceptualize energy transition technologies.
Entrepreneurs, the lesson here is clear: take what others see as a problem and apply a fresh lens. The results might not just be innovative, they could power entire industries.
For further details, you can read about Eclipse’s approach on TechCrunch’s detailed write-up on Eclipse Energy and gain insights from Eclipse Energy’s official resource page. Both are invaluable for anyone intrigued by sustainable biotechnology in action.
In my view, Eclipse’s commitment to turning overlooked resources into scalable, clean energy solutions is an aspiration every entrepreneur should study. After all, changing the rules of the game starts with rethinking what’s possible.
FAQ
1. What is Eclipse Energy and what problem do they solve?
Eclipse Energy is a biotech startup based in Houston that repurposes abandoned oil wells into low-cost hydrogen production sites. Using specialized microbes, they convert residual hydrocarbons into hydrogen gas, offering a clean energy solution while reducing environmental risks. Discover Eclipse Energy
2. How do the microbes convert oil into hydrogen?
The microbes, naturally found at the oil-water interface of reservoirs, consume hydrocarbons and transform them into hydrogen gas and carbon dioxide. Hydrogen gas is extracted while a portion of the carbon dioxide remains sequestered underground. Learn about the microbial process
3. What environmental benefits does this approach offer?
Eclipse Energy's technology mitigates methane leaks from abandoned wells, reduces CO₂ emissions through underground sequestration, and transforms oil wells from liabilities to clean energy assets. Explore environmental benefits
4. What successful trials has Eclipse Energy conducted?
Eclipse Energy demonstrated their technology in California's San Joaquin Basin in 2025, achieving a small-scale hydrogen production site in a depleted oilfield. This success paved the way for global collaboration. Read about the San Joaquin Basin trial
5. How cost-effective is Eclipse Energy’s hydrogen production?
Eclipse Energy targets a production cost of approximately $0.50/kg, significantly lower than traditional grey hydrogen ($1.50, $2.00/kg) and green hydrogen, making their approach a competitive option. Compare hydrogen costs
6. Who are Eclipse Energy's key collaborators?
Eclipse Energy partnered with Weatherford International, an oilfield services company, to scale their technology globally starting in January 2026. Weatherford provides operational support for deployment. Learn about their partnership
7. What industries can benefit from Eclipse Energy’s hydrogen?
The hydrogen produced can be used for transportation, petrochemical plants, power generation, and industries aiming to decarbonize their processes. Explore hydrogen applications
8. What challenges does Eclipse Energy face in scaling their solution?
Each oil reservoir has unique characteristics that can affect microbial performance. Regulatory challenges and industry resistance to adopting new technologies also pose potential hurdles. Understand scaling challenges
9. How does Eclipse Energy contribute to the hydrogen economy?
By offering a low-carbon hydrogen alternative at competitive costs, Eclipse Energy bolsters efforts to globalize hydrogen as a clean energy source, bridging a gap between economic and sustainable goals. See Eclipse’s role in the hydrogen economy
10. How can entrepreneurs innovate like Eclipse Energy?
Entrepreneurs can focus on underutilized resources, form strategic industry partnerships, and leverage multidisciplinary approaches for scalable solutions, as demonstrated by Eclipse Energy. Learn more about their entrepreneurial strategy
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.