H2Au, a privately-owned natural hydrogen explorer, and its joint venture partner 45-8 ENERGY have entered the final stages of well planning for operations in Kansas.

The joint venture intends to drill two wells into the Pre-Cambrian Nemaha high in Eastern Kansas, targeting separate mapped closures to collect data and evaluate the hydrogen and helium resource potential within these significant scale structures. Natural hydrogen offers the prospect of a low-cost, low-carbon energy source, while helium continues to command premium prices amid persistent global supply shortages, giving the program exposure to two high-value markets from a single drilling campaign. The wells are planned for completion during Q3 2026, with follow-up flow testing in Q4 depending on results.

This progression into the drilling phase reflects the technical and operational maturity of the JV and marks a significant evolution in the Companies’ journey from geological evaluation and leasing to consistent, on-the-ground execution. As a result, the JV joins a small and growing cohort of around ten companies globally that are actively progressing with drilling in the emerging natural hydrogen sector.

As the companies advance their planned program, H2Au and 45-8 ENERGY have maintained a strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. The joint venture continues to prioritize responsible operations that deliver long-term value for stakeholders while respecting local communities and ecosystems.

In June 2026, H2Au’s Director of Operations Greg Niellez met with key operational contractors and finalized ‘well location staking’. During this visit, the leadership team progressed negotiations and worked towards finalizing agreements with drilling, logging, and construction partners, bringing together the critical components required to execute the upcoming well program. These engagements mark an important step in ensuring operational readiness and alignment ahead of drilling and further announcements will be made as key contracts are secured and operations progress.

Owain Jackson, CEO of H2Au, said, “Reaching the final stages of well planning is a defining moment for H2Au and the JV at large. It reflects the strength of our technical approach, the dedication of our team, and the support of our partners and investors. We set out at the formation of the company to deliver this program, and we are doing exactly that – on time and to plan. As we move towards drilling, our focus remains firmly on executing safely, responsibly, and with precision, while continuing to build our understanding of this promising resource.”

Nicolas Pelissier, President & Co-founder of 45-8 ENERGY, said, “Building on our close collaboration with our partner H2Au, we are delighted that the JV has reached this key milestone in the development of our natural hydrogen and helium exploration and production activities in the United States. Our combined expertise puts our consortium in the best position to drill these two high-potential targets, while also positioning us to conduct comprehensive production tests as per industry standards straight after drilling should we see encouraging results. We are now fully committed to get started with the operations this summer.”

Backed by the support of a major industry partner and, with preparations now well advanced, H2Au and 45-8 ENERGY as a JV are entering a new phase of activity that will underpin the next stage of growth and technical progress. Stakeholders interested in learning more about the developments in Kansas and other exploration areas are encouraged to engage with the companies directly.