New Era Helium Inc (NASDAQ:NEHC) said its joint venture with Sharon AI, Texas Critical Data Centers (TCDC), is in active talks with large enterprise customers to anchor a planned artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout in Texas.
While no formal agreements have been signed, the company said it is working to align TCDC’s efforts in the Permian Basin with the needs of a high-performance computing deployment.
As part of the planning process, TCDC is looking to acquire additional land near its current site with the goal of expanding the data center’s powered capacity. If successful, the move could create a major digital infrastructure hub linking the region’s local energy to the power demands of AI technologies.
“Our vision is to power the next era of AI infrastructure from the heart of America’s energy backyard, the Permian Basin,” said E. Will Gray II, CEO of New Era Helium. “Interest in Texas Critical Data Center validates the value of our location and our strategy. We’re committed to building out a scalable, resilient platform to meet the rising energy demands of AI.”
The Permian Basin, one of the most prolific oil and gas regions in the United States, offers access to energy resources that are increasingly being eyed to support energy-intensive AI and computing applications.
New Era Helium also said it has identified three new board candidates with experience in energy, infrastructure and digital innovation. The company is completing due diligence ahead of the expected appointments, which it says will bolster governance and support its long-term growth plans.
Investors cheered the update, sending shares of New Era Helium 96% higher to just shy of $1 shortly after US markets opened on Thursday.