Hydrogen gas occurs in ten Kansas wells near the Mid-Continent rift system. Since 1982, two wells have yielded small amounts of gases containing an average of 29-37 mole % H₂, the remainder being chiefly N₂ with only traces of hydrocarbons. Isotopic compositions for hydrogen (^dgrD = -740 to -836 ^pmil) imply near-ambient (about 10°C) equilibration temperatures for the gases, which are among the most deuterium-depleted in nature and resemble the H₂-rich gases described from ophiolites in Oman. Isotopic values for the Kansas N₂ differ slightly from those of the atmosphere, but not enough to rule out an atmospheric origin. Because they are low in CH₄ and CO₂, expected byproducts of biogenic activity, the gases are probably abiogenic in origin. The existence of such gases near a major rift system, containing mafic rocks, and not far from known kimberlites is consistent with an origin from reactions involving Fe⁺² oxidation, for example during serpentinization. Because the gases may be associated with kimberlites and deep-seated rifting, mantle outgassing is possible, but such an origin would be difficult to reconcile with the low isotopic temperatures.

The H₂ gases from Kansas (and elsewhere) seem to be too low in pressure to have commercial value. However, neither the Kansas gases nor those from other H₂ occurrences have been adequately examined to assess their importance as potential resources.