Beleggen in Helium

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Helium insights from Helix Exploration: space race ignites demand for helium

Proactive Investors

HeLIX Exploration PLC has positioned itself strategically to capitalise on the expanding space economy, which is expected to grow to a monumental $1.8 trillion by 2035.

Chairman David Minchin highlights the critical role of helium in rocket launches, noting its unique properties such as low boiling point, lightweight, and inertness, which prevent accidental explosions.

Helium is indispensable in several key rocket functions: it pressurises the fuel chambers, purges unspent fuel to prevent ignition risks, and cools engine components during the high demands of a launch.

Minchin says the burgeoning demand for rocket launches, illustrated by the increasing number of global space missions, underscores helium's significance. In 2023 alone, there were 197 space launches, and this trend of exponential growth is expected to persist.

This surge is largely fuelled by the deployment of satellite constellations, such as those planned by SpaceX’s Starlink, which aims to launch 42,000 satellites in the coming years.

Given this scenario, Minchin says Helix's focus on low-cost and low-risk helium extraction from known gas fields in Montana places it in an advantageous position to meet the rising global demand for helium, essential for the space industry’s growth.

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Helium insights from Helix: US helium market dynamics and growth

Proactive Investors

Helix Exploration PLC (AIM:HEX) CEO Bo Sears commented on the robust US market for helium, particularly influenced by the CHIPS Act aimed at boosting domestic chip manufacturing.

He emphasised the increasing demand for helium in the US, which is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. Highlighting the company's strategy, Sears noted that unlike other producers who may start with one or two well fields, Helix is focused on large-scale projects to meet the substantial market demand.

This approach, he believes, is necessary to make a significant impact on the helium supply.

The company is currently involved in a very large-scale project and is exploring additional opportunities across the mid-continent region of the US, underscoring its commitment to large-scale helium production.

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Helium insights from Helix: Helium shortages impact global industries

Proactive Investors

HeLIX Exploration PLC (AIM:HEX) CEO Bo Sears addresses the recurring global helium shortages over the past two decades, highlighting the main sources of helium linked to large-scale natural gas production, notably in Qatar and the United States via ExxonMobil's LaBarge field.

Sears stressed the impact of production halts, both scheduled and unscheduled, on global helium supply, which has become more frequent over the years. He advocated for helium extraction as a primary focus rather than as a byproduct of natural gas processes, noting the economic and practical advantages of prioritising helium due to low natural gas prices in the United States.

Sears also pointed out the significant repercussions of helium shortages for major industries. Companies like Siemens and GE, which rely on helium for operating MRI machines, face operational disruptions when supplies are low.

Additionally, the supply chain issues extend to sectors like fibre optic manufacturing, where allocation disparities arise, prioritising major users while limiting supply to others considered less critical. Sears emphasised the urgent need for increased helium production to meet the growing demand and prevent further disruptions.

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Helix Exploration's strategic expansion into Rudyard area of Hill County, Montana

Proactive Investors

HeLIX Exploration PLC chairman David Minchin joined Proactive's Stephen gunnion with details of the company's acquisition of the Rudyard project in Hill Country, Montana.

Minchin shared details of this major helium project, highlighting that the acquisition cost was $250,000, with 60% paid in shares.

"This is an acquisition of a proven discovery with helium in its flowed helium gas to the surface, 1.3% helium with good flow rates. It has contingent resources of about half a billion cubic feet," said Minchin. He emphasized the project's potential, stating the in-situ value of the helium is approximately $250 million.

Minchin also discussed Helix's diversification strategy, aiming to establish two production hubs by 2025, which would enhance their leverage in negotiating debt finance and ensure a consistent supply for end users. He noted the company's fully funded drilling and appraisal plans, supported by an oversubscribed IPO, which ensures sufficient cash flow for ongoing and future operations.

He said Helix is optimistic about the complementary nature of this acquisition to its existing Ingomar Dome project and looks forward to advancing its drilling plans in the newly acquired area. The existing infrastructure, including three-phase electrics and easy access to the southern edge of the property, will facilitate a low-cost development for the company.

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Helium One reports progress at Rukwa project

Tanzania-focussed helium explorer and developer Helium One Global updated the market on operations at its Rukwa project on Monday, where preparations were underway for an extended well test (EWT) at the Itumbula West-1 (ITW-1) site.

The AIM-traded company said it was on track to deepen the ITW-1 well and begin the EWT in July, targeting a fault-fracture helium play.

It said a company-owned rig was on-site, with third-party services set to rig up ahead of the spud.

Additionally, Helium One said it had acquired well control equipment to complement its drilling rig, and appointed an experienced drill crew, with personnel mobilisation currently underway.

Long lead items were arriving at the site in preparation for the July spud, and camp personnel and medical support are being remobilized to the location.

Helium One said it had executed a contract with SLB - formerly Schlumberger - to provide cementing, drilling and completion fluids services, as well as surface well test equipment and services.

GeoLog International was contracted to supply mudlogging services.

Laboratory results of helium samples from ITW-1 were consistent with measurements made by the onsite field PVT laboratory.

Furthermore, the company said it was ready to start the second phase of fieldwork for the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) study, which was required for the feasibility study.

Both the feasibility study and subsurface modelling were underway, ready to integrate EWT results ahead of the mining licence application.

“As we fast approach the next operational phase, we are on track to commence the crucial EWT operations at Itumbula West-1 in July,” said chief executive officer Lorna Blaisse.

“This is a very exciting time for the company, as the test will enable us to determine commercial flow rates, reservoir performance and helium concentrations over a longer period of time.

“The results of this EWT will enable us to better determine resource estimates and fully evaluate the potential of this new fault-fracture helium play we have at Itumbula.”

Blaisse said the company had been focussed to meet the timelines over recent months, including the ordering and delivery of long lead items, integrated subsurface modelling and engineering in order to form the basis of a feasibility study which would be required to apply for a mining licence to enable a move into project development once the EWT was complete.

“We're very grateful to the Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission in Tanzania as well as the local communities in which we operate, for their ongoing support shown towards the company and the advancement of the southern Rukwa helium project.

“I would like to thank the team for their immense hard work over the last few months and the efforts that they have put in to get us to this stage.

“We are very excited about the EWT and the results that we believe it will yield, confirming the helium potential at Itumbula.”

At 1104 BST, shares in Helium One Global were up 10% at 0.8p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

https://www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bull ... 18742.html

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Helix identifies elevated helium levels in ongoing drilling

Helium explorer Helix Exploration announced the identification of significantly-elevated helium levels in the Amsden and Charles formations during its ongoing drilling operations on Monday.

The AIM-traded firm said that during drilling at the Amsden formation, at a depth of 3,885 feet (1,185 metres), it detected helium levels peaking at 50 times above the baseline level.

It said the low gamma readings at that depth suggested a clean reservoir, bolstering the significance of the discovery.

The formation was previously tested for gas in the nearby Hilliston-1 well, where a 195-foot gas column was identified, though it was not assayed for helium.

In the Charles formation, currently being drilled at a depth of 5,150 feet, the company said it identified multiple gas-shows, with helium levels reaching up to 130 times above the background level.

Previous wells in the vicinity, such as the Froze To Death and Treasure 18-1, also encountered gas columns but did not test for helium.

The company said the findings confirmed the presence of helium within the established gas system in the region.

Helix was continuing its drilling operations towards the primary target in the Flathead formation, anticipated at a depth of around 7,410 feet, with a total planned depth of 8,000 feet.

Drilling was proceeding on schedule.

While the presence of helium gas-shows was a positive indicator for further exploration, Helix said additional testing, including wireline logging and flow testing, would be required to determine the commercial viability of the helium deposits.

The company would only declare a discovery after gas samples were recovered to the surface and analysed for helium content.

At 1138 BST, shares in Helix Exploration were up 12.41% at 22.2p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

https://www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bull ... 83934.html

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80 Mile makes breakthrough in Finland helium discovery

80 Mile announced a significant breakthrough in its exploration programme in Finland’s Outokumpu Belt on Monday, with the discovery of high concentrations of helium at the surface of select historical drill holes.

The AIM-traded firm - formerly known as Bluejay Mining - said the finding was a major advancement in its efforts to evaluate the potential for helium and hydrogen resources in the region.

In the Perttilahti area, located at the centre of the company’s tenement package, surface tests revealed helium concentrations as high as 10.7%, far exceeding initial expectations.

That was the first recorded instance of helium flowing to the surface in Finland - a departure from previous detections, where helium was dissolved in groundwater at depth.

The presence of helium at surface indicated significant potential for accessible, commercially viable helium resources.

80 Mile said it used a portable helium detector to measure gas concentrations directly from historical drill holes during its surface sampling programme.

The high readings strengthened the case for further exploration and validated earlier data collected in the region.

It said the results not only confirmed the Outokumpu Belt’s potential for industrial gas resources, but also provided a strong foundation for accelerating exploration efforts.

In addition to helium, a 2,480-metre-deep drill hole yielded up to 46% geological hydrogen, further highlighting the belt's potential for industrial gas reserves.

With over 2,000 historical drill holes, the firm said it had a robust dataset to fast-track its evaluation of gas resources across its 40-kilometre licence area.

80 Mile was planning to intensify exploration activities in the Outokumpu Belt, focusing on areas with the highest helium concentrations.

That would include further surface sampling, re-entering select drill holes for deeper testing, and integrating the data with historical seismic records to identify the most prospective zones.

It said it was also preparing a proof-of-concept study to assess the commercial viability of extracting helium and hydrogen from existing deep drill holes.

While 80 Mile remained cautious, the study could be a key step toward generating revenue from the project if successful.

It said it was aiming to proceed methodically to ensure technical and economic feasibility.

“We are thrilled with the initial surface helium concentrations identified in the Outokumpu Belt,” said managing director Eric Sondergaard.

“These results exceed our expectations and provide strong evidence of the region's potential as a significant source of helium and other industrial gases.

“Our exploration strategy, supported by extensive historical data and modern sampling techniques, is yielding tangible results that could unlock substantial value for our shareholders.”

Sondergaard said the detection of helium or hydrogen flowing at the surface was “highly significant” due to the small molecular size of the gases.

“Helium and hydrogen are the smallest and lightest elements, with very low molecular weights.

“These characteristics make both gases extremely mobile and capable of escaping from subsurface reservoirs into the atmosphere over time.

“For helium or hydrogen to be detected at surface levels, there must be a sustained and significant source of these gases continuously feeding upward, suggesting the existence of large, potentially commercially viable subsurface accumulations.”

"Such discoveries were rare, Eric Sondergaard added, and could potentially be tapped for commercial use, especially in the case of helium, which is a critical resource with various industrial applications including in medical technology, space exploration, and cryogenics.

“We have only begun to scratch the surface at Outokumpu.

“We are committed to accelerating our work program and leveraging these findings to further delineate the helium and hydrogen potential of the Outokumpu Belt.

“Our goal is to advance towards commercial viability in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.”

At 1234 BST, shares in 80 Mile were up 1.03% at 0.33p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

https://www.sharecast.com/news/aim-bull ... 64440.html

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Mosman Oil and Gas CEO on helium focus following Stanley sale

Mosman Oil and Gas Ltd (AIM:MSMN) CEO Andy Carroll talked with Proactive's Stephen Gunnion about the sale of the company's Stanley assets in the US. He explained the rationale behind this decision, highlighting the company's new focus on helium. Carroll stated, "The bottom line is, we can now fully concentrate on the helium portfolio, which is looking very positive, particularly in the USA."

The sale allows Mosman to redirect capital and management time from oil and gas towards helium, a sector Carroll describes as offering significant opportunities. He noted that a consultant with extensive experience in helium has been hired to accelerate business development, particularly in the US market. Carroll emphasised the partnership with experienced individuals, ensuring that Mosman remains confident about deferred payments from the Stanley sale while focusing on helium.

In addition to helium, Mosman retains oil assets such as the Cinnabar field, but helium remains the priority for now. Carroll also mentioned ongoing technical and legal due diligence related to helium operations.

Watch the full interview for more insights on Mosman’s strategic pivot and future plans in the helium sector.

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