Helix Exploration Confirms Hydrogen Potential and Mantle Helium Signature at Rudyard Project

Helix Exploration Confirms Hydrogen Potential and Mantle Helium Signature at Rudyard Project

Helix Exploration PLC (AIM: HEX) has announced a major scientific breakthrough at its Rudyard Project in northern Montana, confirming both natural hydrogen potential and a mantle helium signature within the subsurface system.

An independent study by AIM GeoAnalytics identified serpentine, olivine, and magnetite — minerals known to generate hydrogen through natural geochemical reactions between water and ultramafic rocks. Complementing these findings, isotopic data from Durham University revealed a ³He/⁴He ratio of 0.74 Rₐ, indicating a measurable mantle-derived helium component.

Together, these results establish Rudyard as one of the few verified hydrogen-prone ultramafic systems in North America, capable of generating clean hydrogen naturally with zero CO₂ emissions.

CEO Bo Sears called the findings “a milestone not only for Helix, but for the entire clean-energy sector,” emphasizing the project’s potential to deliver low-cost, high-purity hydrogen aligned with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Shot initiative.

Full press release is attached below:

16 October 2025 Helix Exploration PLC (“Helix Exploration” or “Helix” or the “Company”)

Helix Exploration PLC, the helium exploration and development company with near-term production assets within the ‘Montana Helium Fairway’, is pleased to announce breakthrough scientific results from its flagship Rudyard Project.

An independent study by Dr. Michael Hofmann of AIM GeoAnalytics has confirmed that rock cuttings from the Rudyard wells contain the same minerals that naturally generate hydrogen deep within the Earth-including serpentine, olivine, and magnetite. These minerals occur in mafic and ultramafic rocks, which release hydrogen when they react with water under heat and pressure, underscoring significant potential for geological hydrogen generation at the Rudyard Project.

Complementing these findings, prior isotope analysis by Durham University revealed a ³He/⁴He ratio of 0.74 Rₐ, showing a measurable mantle helium component-which demonstrates the chemical fingerprint of deep-Earth fluids rising into the Rudyard system.

Highlights

·     Elevated Helium-isotope Signature: Analysis from the Rudyard Project recorded a consistent ³He/⁴He ratio of 0.74 Rₐ, over 3,600% above average continental-crust values (0.02 Rₐ) representing some of the highest recorded in continental North America outside of Yellowstone with Helium-3 concentration averaging greater than 10 ppb.

·     Confirmed Mantle Contribution and Geological Implications: Isotopic modelling suggests roughly 9% of Rudyard’s helium originates from the mantle. This deep-Earth connection not only replenishes helium within the reservoir but also facilitates the water-rock reactions that generate natural hydrogen at depth – a key indicator of Rudyard’s long-term potential as both a helium and hydrogen source.

·     Hydrogen Potential:Geochemical results establish Rudyard as one of the few verified hydrogen-prone ultramafic systems in North America and has the potential to produce some of the world’s cleanest hydrogen with zero CO₂ emissions.

Background

Nearly all hydrogen used today is made from Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) of natural gas, a process that releases large volumes of CO₂ and produces what is known as “grey hydrogen”. By contrast, geological hydrogen is created naturally underground, requiring no fossil-fuel feedstock and emitting zero carbon when produced.

If confirmed at commercial scale, the hydrogen at Rudyard has the potential to represent one of the cleanest and most cost-effective hydrogen resource known on Earth-potentially meeting and exceeding the U.S. Department of Energy’s “Hydrogen Shot” goal, which aims to reduce the cost of producing clean hydrogen to $1 per 1 kilogram within one decade (the 1:1:1 goal).

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information contained in this disclosure has been read and approved by James Weaver, P.E., who is a qualified Petroleum Engineer and acts as the Qualified Person under the AIM Rules – Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. James Weaver is the Chief Executive Officer for Aeon Petroleum Consultants Corp. which has been retained by Helix Exploration plc to provide technical support.

Bo Sears, Chief Executive Officer of Helix Exploration, commented:

These results confirm that Rudyard sits above a deep-Earth hydrogen engine powered by ultramafic rocks and mantle gases.

“The science is clear: this is the type of system that can generate clean hydrogen naturally, without carbon emissions or expensive reforming plants. If developed successfully, it could deliver hydrogen at a cost and purity level that could surpass anything achieved through conventional means. We see this as a milestone not only for Helix but for the entire clean-energy sector.”

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation, and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

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Helix Exploration Confirms Hydrogen Potential and Mantle Helium Signature at Rudyard Project, source