26 May 2026

Helix Exploration PLC

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

Inez #1 Well Re-entry

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 re-entry operations at the Inez #1 well have commenced. The Company is rigged up and re-entering the wellbore has commenced. Inez #1 will be placed on production from the Souris River interval as the outcome of these operations, representing a meaningful addition to the Company's growing production base at Rudyard.

Highlights

•   Re-entry operations are live and Helix is rigged up and actively re-entering the Inez #1 wellbore.

•   Production from the Souris River interval is the objective of the re-entry.

•   If the Retrieval (defined below) is successful, the Company will evaluate an option to core the hydrogen-bearing interval at Inez #1 - a potentially high-value data opportunity given Helix's association with the Chimaera Fund and the United States Air Force, both of which have expressed interest in natural hydrogen data from the Montana Helium Fairway.

•   If the Retrieval is unsuccessful, equipment will be left in place and the Company will proceed directly to re-perforation of the Souris River interval and production - a straightforward path to first gas from Inez #1.

•   The Inez #1 well was originally perforated to characterise the lower reservoir, specifically to understand the distinction between the Red River and Souris River carbonate formations - both productive intervals at Rudyard. As this scientific objective has been substantially met; the focus now is production.

•   Helix now has operations active across multiple wells and an offtake arrangement for 100 per cent. of deliverable volumes. Today's commencement at Inez #1 advances the Company's stated goal of building production scale efficiently and systematically.

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

"I am pleased to announce that operations have commenced. The rig is on site, and we have re-entered the well over the weekend, as planned following announcement of our offtake arrangement to the market. We will perforate the Souris River interval in the coming days and look forward to evaluating its potential. Production is our objective - and what we will deliver as we continue to grow our asset base and strengthen our offtake arrangements."

Background

During the course of initial perforation operations at Inez, downhole equipment became lodged in the wellbore, requiring a fishing operation (the "Retrieval") before the Company could proceed to full-interval production perforations. The re-entry operation commencing today is designed to address this directly.

The well carries an additional point of strategic interest. A hydrogen-bearing interval has been identified within the Inez #1 wellbore, and this has attracted interest from the Chimaera Fund - a dedicated natural hydrogen investment vehicle - and from the United States Air Force, both of which recognise the potential scientific and strategic value of coring this interval. If the Retrieval is successful in clearing the wellbore, the Company will consider whether to exercise this option before proceeding to production perforations. If not, the Company will move immediately to re-perforate the Souris River and bring Inez #1 on stream.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the UK version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, as it forms part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR"). Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. The Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

Enquiries

Helix Exploration

Cairn - Nominated Adviser

Hannam & Partners - Broker

Camarco - Financial PR

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.