REG - Helix Exploration - Noble Gas Isotope Results from Rudyard

Helix ExplorationAnnouncement

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RNS Number : 5496G  Helix Exploration PLC  02 June 2026

2 June 2026

Helix Exploration PLC

 

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

 

Noble Gas Isotope Results from Rudyard

 

Helix Exploration PLC (AIM: HEX, OTCQB: HEXFF), the helium exploration and
development company advancing the Rudyard Helium Project ("Rudyard") in
northern Montana, announces the results of independent noble gas isotope
analyses conducted across its three producing helium wells and production gas
stream at Rudyard. Samples were analyzed by Dr. Peter Barry at Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) using a noble gas mass spectrometry in May
2026.

 

Highlights

•   Helium-3 to helium-4 ratios ((3)He/(4)He) ~33× above typical crustal
helium values and carries ~1% helium in the raw well gas stream across all
three producing wells. He isotopes consistently range from 0.665-0.690
relative to air (Ra) - indicating predominantly crustal gases (92%) and a
whiff of mantle (8%).

•   Consistency across all three wells (0.665-0.690 Ra) is a strong
geological indicator that the Company is drawing from a single, uniform deep
reservoir - a positive attribute for development planning.

•   Production gas stream records 855 parts per billion ("ppb") helium-3,
following purification at Helix's Rudyard plant - one of the highest values
documented for any producing helium field.

•   Argon isotope signature (⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar: 7,950-9,665) is 27-33 times
above atmospheric values and carries ~1,500 parts per million ("ppm") argon in
the raw well gas stream. The profile is consistent with a potential
underground argon source. Direct ³⁹Ar analysis is currently being arranged.

•   Neon isotope ratios confirm crust and mantle noble gas components -
further independent evidence of a deep, ancient, and isolated reservoir
underpinning Rudyard's helium production.

 

Helium-3 Isotope Results

 Sample                       ³He/⁴He Ratio (Ra)     vs. Typical Crustal          ³He concentration
 Darwin-1 Well                0.665 Ra               ~33× above typical crustal   9.95 ppb ³He
 Linda-1 Well                 ~0.675 Ra              ~34× above typical crustal   10.23 ppb ³He
 Weil-1 Well                  ~0.685 Ra              ~34× above typical crustal   9.46 ppb ³He
 Production Gas Stream  ★     0.690 Ra               ~35× above typical crustal   855 ppb ³He
 Ra = atmospheric ³He/⁴He reference (1.384 × 10⁻⁶). Typical crustal
 helium: ~0.02 Ra (range 0.01-0.05 Ra). Mantle reference: 8 Ra. Production gas
 concentrated to ~89.6% helium-4 at Helix's Rudyard plant; 855 ppb ³He
 reflects this concentration.

 

Argon Isotopes - Possible Underground Argon Source

The same analyses reveals a potentially significant argon finding. Argon that
has been sealed deep underground for millions of years - shielded from cosmic
radiation - becomes depleted in a naturally radioactive isotope called
argon-39. This "underground argon" is rare and is in high demand from the
global physics community for use in ultra-sensitive dark matter detectors,
where even trace radioactive contamination must be eliminated. There is
currently only one known commercial source of underground argon in the world -
a CO₂ field in Cortez, Colorado - where the Global Argon Dark Matter
Collaboration (GADMC), a consortium including Princeton University, ETH
Zürich, and leading European physics laboratories, is extracting 120 tonnes
for the DarkSide-20k dark matter experiment in Italy. There is no established
commodity price; its value is defined by its unique scarcity.

Helix's argon isotope results show that the argon in Rudyard's wells has the
indications of gas that has been completely sealed underground for a long
time, with no mixing with the atmosphere - the same geological characteristic
that underpins known underground argon sources. High 40Ar/36Ar values
(>8,000) are on par with those measured from Cortez (~11,000), suggesting a
similar deep source for the argon at Rudyard. These argon isotope ratios are
27 to 33 times above normal atmospheric values, and the wells carry
approximately 1,500 parts per million ("ppm") argon in the raw gas stream.
Furthermore, He/Ne values exceeding 60,000 confirm that Rudyard gas streams
have experienced very little mixing with the modern atmosphere. These
characteristics, together with the crust-mantle mixed helium and neon isotope
signatures, paint a consistent picture of a deep, ancient, isolated reservoir.

The Company has not yet carried out the specific test - a direct measurement
of argon-39 - needed to confirm whether Rudyard's argon qualifies as
underground argon. That measurement requires specialist equipment available at
only a small number of laboratories worldwide, and Helix is actively making
those arrangements. Until that test is completed, no equivalence to Cortez can
be claimed. However, if the result is favorable, it would represent a
discovery of considerable scientific and commercial significance and would
position Rudyard as a potential second source of underground argon in the
world. Notably, the concentration of argon-40 is approximately 3x higher
(~1500 ppm) at Rudyard vs reported concentrations at Cortez of ~600 ppm.

The convergence of an exceptional ³He/⁴He signature, elevated mantle neon
isotopes, and a highly radiogenic argon profile provides strong geochemical
evidence that Rudyard draws from a deep, ancient, and isolated noble gas
reservoir. These characteristics directly underpin the field's helium
production and - pending (39)Ar confirmation - may establish Rudyard as one of
the most geochemically significant noble gas accumulations in North America.

 

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

"These results are remarkable and reinforce what we have believed since day
one - Rudyard is not a typical helium field. The isotopic signature across all
three wells points to a deep crustal source that has clearly been influenced
by the mantle. With primordial helium serving as a tracer for deep magmatic
intrusion into the crust and a potential release mechanism for crustally
derived helium-4 and argon-40, this radiogenic helium-4 and argon-40, along
with a small amount of helium-3 then migrate upward along ancient fault
pathways to accumulate in our Souris and Red River formations. Critically, the
component of mantle helium-3 independently validates our geological thesis for
natural hydrogen at Rudyard - the deep magmatic systems that release
primordial helium from the crust are precisely those associated with
geological hydrogen generation.

On the argon side, we have more work to do, but the early isotopic data is
striking and we look forward to what further analyses may reveal. Rudyard
continues to surprise us, and we look forward to keeping shareholders informed
as this picture develops."

 

Qualified Person

In accordance with the AIM Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, Dr.
Peter Barry, Associate Scientist with Tenure at WHOI, has reviewed the
technical information contained herein. Dr. Barry has a PhD in geochemistry
and approximately 20 years of experience working with noble gases. He has
worked closely with the oil and gas industry for more than a decade.

 

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 PLC

 Bo Sears           via Camarco
 Keith Spickelmier  info@helixexploration.com

Cairn - Nominated Adviser

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

Hannam & Partners - Broker

 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

 

 

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 to target
first gas in 2025. 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."

Bo Sears, Chief Executive Officer

 

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, 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. In particular, the presence of depleted
³⁹Ar in the Company's argon has not been confirmed and cannot be inferred
solely from ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on such forward-looking statements.

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