REG - Helix Exploration - Helix chosen by Chimaera Fund for USAF deal

Helix ExplorationAnnouncement

Mon 07:00

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RNS Number : 0925B  Helix Exploration PLC  20 April 2026

20 April 2026

 

Helix Exploration PLC

("Helix Exploration" or "Helix" or the "Company")

 

Helix selected by Chimaera Fund for Strategic Partnership with US Air Force

 

Helix Exploration PLC (AIM: HEX, OTCQB: HEXFF), the helium exploration and
development company advancing the Rudyard Helium Project ("Rudyard") in
northern Montana, is pleased to announce that it has been selected by
Renaissance Philanthropy's Chimaera Fund to participate in the Air Force
Geologic Hydrogen Energy Resilience Initiative, a demonstration programme
assessing whether geologic hydrogen can strengthen energy resilience at
critical Air Force Bases ("AFB").

Highlights

•     Congressional Mandate: In support of a Congressional mandate
requiring the Department of War to achieve 99.9% energy availability at
critical military installations by 2030, Renaissance Philanthropy's Chimaera
Fund has launched a demonstration programme to explore whether geologic
hydrogen could contribute to energy resilience at AFBs.

•     Competitive Selection: Helix was selected from nearly 30
respondents to a Request for Information ("RFI") issued by the Chimaera Fund,
which attracted responses from exploration companies, national laboratories,
university research groups, sensing and detection firms, and engineering
consultancy firms.

•     Active Partnership: Helix will work collaboratively with the
Chimaera Fund, contributing subsurface data, drilling cost data, and
geological expertise from its active Rudyard programme to a techno-economic
assessment of geologic hydrogen potential near Malmstrom AFB and other
targeted installations. Helix will receive funding from the Chimaera Fund to
support its contribution.

•     Proximity: The Company's Rudyard project is located approximately
120 miles from Malmstrom AFB, home to the 341st Missile Wing and one of only
three U.S. Air Force installations operating the Minuteman III
intercontinental ballistic missile system.

•     Geological Indicators: As announced on 16 October 2025, the
Company's deep well programme at Rudyard confirmed the presence of key
geological indicators for hydrogen generation, encountered during active
helium exploration. Helix is preparing additional coring and laboratory
analysis to further characterise the resource.

•     Strategic Validation: The partnership validates the strategic
value of the Company's geological assets beyond helium, demonstrating direct
applicability to national energy security priorities.

 

Details of the Partnership

The Chimaera Fund at Renaissance Philanthropy issued an RFI to identify
partners with existing well infrastructure, hydrogen-related subsurface data,
and active exploration programmes near key AFBs. The RFI attracted nearly 30
responses from across the geologic hydrogen ecosystem. Following evaluation, a
small number of commercial partners were selected to serve as primary
performers for a small-scale demonstration.

Helix was selected on the basis of its active helium exploration programme in
north-central Montana, during which the Company encountered a highly
favourable geological hydrogen deposit at Rudyard. As a core partner, Helix
will work alongside the Chimaera Fund contributing subsurface measurements,
drilling cost data, mineralogical and geochemical analysis, and well
infrastructure data from active field operations near Malmstrom AFB. The
results of the programme will inform a techno-economic assessment of geologic
hydrogen potential near targeted installations.

The official announcement can be found at
https://www.renaissancephilanthropy.org/insights/chimaera-partner-selection
(https://www.renaissancephilanthropy.org/insights/chimaera-partner-selection)

Strategic Significance

Malmstrom AFB, located near Great Falls, Montana, is home to the 341st Missile
Wing, one of only three U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command wings operating
the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system.
Domestically sourced energy supply near such installations is a matter of
national security. The proximity of the Company's Rudyard project to
Malmstrom, combined with the hydrogen-generating geological indicators already
confirmed, positions Helix as a uniquely relevant participant in this
initiative.

Bo Sears, Chief Executive Officer, Helix Exploration PLC

"The selection of Helix in this pioneering research initiative reinforces the
significance of the geological indicators we have identified at Rudyard and
the potential they hold for geologic hydrogen. We are genuinely excited to be
working alongside the U.S. Air Force and the Chimaera Fund as partners in this
effort - not simply as data providers, but as active collaborators bringing
subsurface expertise and field operations to bear on a shared objective. The
convergence of national energy security priorities with our existing
geological assets at Rudyard represents exactly the kind of opportunity we
have been building toward, and we look forward to advancing this work
together."

 

 Keith Spickelmier, Chairman, Helix Exploration PLC

"We are honoured to be able to announce our participation in the Geologic
Hydrogen Energy Resilience Initiative alongside the Chimaera Fund & the US
Airforce. I would like to commend our team for solidifying this relationship
and we are optimistic about the potential of this partnership going forward."

Background: Geologic Hydrogen

Geologic hydrogen, also referred to as natural or "gold" hydrogen, is hydrogen
generated through natural subsurface processes including serpentinization of
iron-rich minerals, radiolysis of water by radioactive decay, and deep crustal
degassing. Unlike manufactured hydrogen, it requires no energy input for
production, no water consumption, and produces no carbon emissions. The U.S.
Department of Energy has identified geologic hydrogen as a potentially
transformative domestic energy resource.

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.

Enquiries

Helix Exploration

 Bo Sears           via Camarco
 Keith Spickelmier  info@helixexploration.com (mailto:info@helixexploration.com)

Cairn - Nominated Adviser

 Liam Murray          +44 (0)20 7213 0880
 Ludovico Lazzaretti
 James Western

 

Hannam & Partners Brokers

 Neil Passmore  +44 (0)20 7907 8502
 Leif Powis

Camarco - Financial PR

 Tilly Butcher  +44 (0)20 3757 4980
 Billy Clegg    helixexploration@camarco.co.uk (mailto:helixexploration@camarco.co.uk)

 

Notes to Editors

Helix Exploration is a helium exploration company focused on the exploration
and development of helium deposits within the 'Montana Helium Fairway'.
Founded by industry experts with extensive experience of helium systems in the
US, the Company listed in April 2024.

Helix is focused on production at its Rudyard Project in northern Montana,
taking advantage of existing infrastructure and low-cost processing. The
Company has four production wells targeting up to 236ft Helium / Nitrogen gas
in the Souris and Red River formations, flowing up to 3,800 Mcf/day at 1.2%
helium. Rudyard field can support multiple production wells and has potential
to generate net revenue of $115 - $220 million over a 12.5 year life of field.

Helix is committed to open and transparent communication with investors and
the wider market as the project progresses through development into
production.

"Our approach is simple: build scale efficiently, develop resources
strategically, and deliver near-term cash flow." CEO - Bo Sears

The Company's Admission Document, and other information required pursuant to
AIM Rule 26, is available on the Company's website
at https://www.helixexploration.com/ (https://www.helixexploration.com/) .

Caution regarding forward looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward
looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of
terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'',
''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''potentially'', "expect",
''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions,
including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not
based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations
and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations,
performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount,
nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business
prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the
Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information
currently available to the Directors.

 

 

 

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