Company Update

Helix Exploration PLC

09 March 2026

 

9 March 2026

Helix Exploration PLC

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

Helix Secures First Helium Transport Trailer

Further Update re the Global Helium Supply Chain

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 executed a lease agreement for a high-pressure jumbo tube trailer, marking a key operational milestone for the Company.

Highlights:

•     First transport asset secured: Helix has leased a ten-cylinder jumbo tube trailer with a service capacity of 156,300 standard cubic feet ("SCF") of compressed helium at a working pressure of 2,669 PSI, providing the Company with dedicated helium transport capability.

•     Fleet build-out underway: This is the first of several tube trailers the Company expects to lease or acquire over the coming months as it scales transport capacity in line with production ramp-up at Rudyard.

•     Production readiness advancing: The securing of dedicated transport infrastructure assists the Company's transition from a pure exploration business into the operational phase of the Rudyard Helium Project.

•     Critical timing amid global supply crisis: All three helium production facilities in Qatar, the world's second-largest helium producer accounting for approximately one-third of global supply are currently offline following Iran's strike on the Ras Laffan LNG complex and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Helium spot prices have surged 35-50% in the past week alone.

Tube Trailer Specifications

The Company has executed a lease for an ISO-specification ten-cylinder jumbo tube trailer designed for the transport of compressed helium gas. The trailer specifications are as follows:

Type	Ten Cylinder Jumbo Tube Trailer
Configuration	ISO UN (OAL: 40′; OD: 22″)
Service	Helium, Compressed
Service Capacity	156,300 SCF
Working Pressure	2,669 PSI
Water Volume	397.5 cubic feet
Tare Weight	55,910 lbs

This high-pressure configuration is purpose-built for the transport of compressed helium and is sized to support the Company's initial delivery requirements at the Rudyard Helium Project. The Company anticipates securing additional tube trailers in the coming months as production volumes increase and customer delivery schedules are established.

Global Helium Market Under Severe Strain

The Company notes further constraints to the global helium supply. Following Iran's strike on Qatar's Ras Laffan complex - the world's largest LNG export facility - all three of Qatar's helium production plants are now offline. One facility was already shut down for pipeline repairs; the remaining two ceased production as a direct result of the strike. Qatar is the world's second-largest helium producer, accounting for approximately one-third of global output.

The continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz has further compounded the issue, as most Qatari helium exports transit through this critical waterway. Helium spot prices have surged 35-50% in the past week, according to industry consultant Phil Kornbluth of Kornbluth Helium Consulting. The Wall Street Journal reported on 6 March 2026 that the disruption poses direct risks to the global semiconductor supply chain, with South Korean officials warning of potential impacts on chip production at Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, both of which source helium from the region.

Helium is essential for semiconductor fabrication, MRI medical imaging, fibre optic manufacturing, scientific research, space launch systems, and national defence applications. Unlike most industrial gases, helium cannot be synthesized, it can only be extracted from underground geological formations or recovered as a byproduct of natural gas and LNG processing. When LNG production shuts down, the associated helium supply is lost entirely.

The Board believes this environment underscores the strategic importance of developing domestic helium production assets within the United States. The Rudyard Helium Project in Montana is one of a very limited number of pure-play helium projects globally and is not dependent on natural gas or LNG processing for its helium supply.

Bo Sears, CEO of Helix Exploration, commented: "The lease of our first tube trailer is a tangible step toward commercial production at Rudyard. We are building out the transport infrastructure necessary to deliver helium to customers, and this is the first of several trailers we expect to add to our fleet in the near term.

"The timing could not be more critical. The global helium market is facing what may be its most severe supply disruption in history. With all Qatari production offline and the Strait of Hormuz closed, approximately one-third of global helium supply has been removed from the market virtually overnight. Spot prices have spiked and major technology companies are already warning of potential impacts on semiconductor production.

"Rudyard represents exactly what the market needs - a dedicated, domestic US helium source that is not reliant on LNG processing or exposed to geopolitical shipping risks. We are moving with urgency to deliver security of supply to American industry."

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	[e-mail]

Cairn - Nominated Adviser

Liam Murray	[phone]
Ludovico Lazzaretti
James Western

Hannam & Partners Brokers

Neil Passmore	[phone]
Leif Powis

Camarco - Financial PR

Tilly Butcher	[phone]
Billy Clegg	[e-mail]

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/.

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.

 

END