Helix Exploration PLC (AIM:HEX, OTCQB:HHEXF) CEO, Bo Sears, talked with Proactive about the company’s recent breakthrough at the Rudyard project, where confirmation of hydrogen-prone ultramafic systems could reshape its strategic outlook.
Sears said the findings are “a tremendously exciting development for HeLIX and our shareholders,” noting that the company has identified all the key geological components for the presence of natural, or “geological”, hydrogen. This positions HeLIX within a global race for inexpensive green hydrogen, where major players like Fortescue, Toyota and Breakthrough Energy are already investing heavily.
He explained how Rudyard's hydrogen differs from conventional production. Unlike steam methane reforming, which dominates current hydrogen output and emits large volumes of CO2, the geological hydrogen at Rudyard could offer a cleaner alternative.
There’s already external interest. “We're talking to everybody,” Sears confirmed, reflecting the wider market’s appetite for green energy frontiers.
What sets Rudyard apart is a “dual commodity” setup. Sears highlighted the presence of both a significant helium field and hydrogen potential, with the helium showing a helium-3/helium-4 ratio “3,600% higher than your typical crustal average.” This, he said, indicates a mantle component and larger potential yields.
Looking ahead, the company plans to drill additional wells and re-enter the Inez well, subject to rig availability. The goal is to accelerate development and cement HeLIX’s position in the emerging green hydrogen space.
Proactive: Bo, very good to speak with you, and congratulations on those breakthrough findings at the Rudyard project. What does the confirmation of hydrogen-prone ultramafic systems mean for the company?
Bo Sears: It is a tremendously exciting development for HeLIX and our shareholders. The global race is on to find inexpensive green hydrogen, and big players are in it already. Names like Fortescue, Toyota and Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Energy are investing millions of dollars in its pursuit. At Rudyard field, we have 100% of all the necessary components for geological hydrogen to exist. So we are very excited about this.
Proactive: What makes the hydrogen at Rudyard unique compared to conventional hydrogen production?
Bo Sears: Well, conventional hydrogen production — call it rounded up to about 100% of all hydrogen produced today — comes from a process called steam methane reforming. And that is cracking natural gas or methane. The problem with that is that you have to release a lot of CO2 into the atmosphere. So the race is on to find a green hydrogen alternative to that existing, well-known process.
Proactive: Have you received any external interest in the hydrogen potential at Rudyard?
Bo Sears: Absolutely. Yeah. We're talking to everybody. And because of the incredible interest in a green energy wave, this could be a new frontier for us and the world at large. So we're tremendously excited.
Proactive: Bo, what do these findings mean for Helix Exploration’s long-term strategy?
Bo Sears: Well, it's very interesting that we have a dual commodity threat here. We know we're sitting on a very nice helium field — a very large helium field. And with this potential for hydrogen, we effectively have stack to pay. We have a very high helium-3 to helium-4 ratio in this field. This is 3,600% higher than your typical crustal average. So it means we have a mantle component, which effectively means we have bigger pay or more pay for both the helium and the hydrogen.
Proactive: And the next steps for the Rudyard project? When can we expect updates?
Bo Sears: We're going to be drilling more wells. We need to go back in there and test the Inez well, subject to workover unit availability, and get after a plan to really open up that field and just be a big player in this space. We're really excited.
Proactive: Sure, going to be chatting again very soon. Thank you very much for the update today.