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On 26 October 2026, Helix Exploration PLC announced that the US Department of Energy (DOE) formally designated helium as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020 on 23 October 2026. The DOE designation cites helium's role in US manufacturing, semiconductor production, and national security. Helix operates helium production at its Rudyard facility in Montana, which achieved first commercial sales in July 2026, and owns the Keyes Helium Complex in Oklahoma, one of six operational helium liquefaction facilities in the United States.
RNS REACH - 26 October 2026
Helix Exploration PLC
("Helix" or the "Company")
US Department of Energy Designates Helium as a Critical Material
Energy Department Designates Helium as Critical Material to Strengthen American Manufacturing and Supply Chain Security
Helix Exploration PLC (AIM: HEX, OTCQB: HEXFF), the US-focused helium producer and liquefier, welcomes the announcement by the United States Department of Energy ("DOE") on 23 October 2026 formally designating helium as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020.
The designation recognises helium's essential role in US manufacturing, advanced technologies and national security, together with the importance of securing reliable domestic supply chains.
The announcement reinforces the strategic importance of Helix's growing integrated helium business, comprising the first helium production operations in the State of Montana and processing and liquefaction infrastructure at the Keyes Helium Complex in Oklahoma.
Highlights
· Federal recognition: The DOE has formally designated helium as a critical material, recognising its importance to semiconductor manufacturing, advanced technologies and US economic and national security.
· Domestic supply chain security: The designation highlights the importance of increasing domestic helium production and processing capacity to mitigate global supply chain risks.
· Rudyard operations: Helix's Rudyard facility represents the first helium production in the State of Montana.
· Integrated helium infrastructure: Helix's ownership of the Keyes Helium Complex in Oklahoma, incorporating one of only six operational helium liquefaction facilities in the United States, provides a strategically important position within the domestic helium supply chain.
· Growth strategy: Helix continues to advance its programme to expand helium production and processing capacity, supported by its existing infrastructure and vertically integrated operating model.
US Department of Energy Designation
On 23 October 2026, the DOE announced that the US Secretary of Energy had formally designated helium as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020.
The decision reflects helium's essential role in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced technologies, alongside increasing concerns regarding global supply availability and the resilience of domestic supply chains.
The DOE highlighted the importance of the United States' domestic helium resources, while acknowledging that limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting processes continue to constrain domestic production.
The Company believes this development provides further recognition of the strategic importance of investment in US helium production, processing and liquefaction infrastructure.
The official DOE announcement is available at:
Helix's Strategic Position
Helix is developing an integrated US helium business with operations spanning exploration, production, processing and liquefaction.
At its flagship Rudyard Project in Montana, the Company commenced production in February 2026 and achieved first commercial sales in July 2026. The Company is progressing its programme to expand production and processing capacity at Rudyard, supported by its owned drilling rig and existing infrastructure.
In addition, the Company's acquisition of the Keyes Helium Complex in Oklahoma in July 2026 provides ownership of one of only six operational helium liquefaction facilities in the United States.
Helium liquefaction represents a strategically important component of the supply chain, enabling the efficient storage and transportation of helium to end users across industrial, medical and advanced technology markets.
The combination of upstream helium production and downstream processing and liquefaction infrastructure positions Helix uniquely among independent helium businesses to participate across multiple stages of the US helium supply chain.
The Company believes the DOE's designation further supports the long-term strategic rationale for its investment in domestic helium production and infrastructure.
Bo Sears, Chief Executive Officer of Helix Exploration, commented:
"The US Department of Energy's decision to designate helium as a critical material is an important development for the domestic helium industry and provides further recognition of the strategic importance of securing reliable US supply.
Helium is essential to a range of critical industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, medical technology, aerospace and advanced computing. The designation highlights the importance of expanding domestic production and processing capacity to support these industries and strengthen US supply chain resilience.
Helix is well positioned to contribute to this objective. Having transitioned from exploration into commercial production at Rudyard in just two years since IPO, and with our ownership of the Keyes Helium Complex providing access to one of only six operational helium liquefaction facilities in the United States, we have established an integrated platform across the helium value chain.
We believe the federal recognition of helium as a critical material reinforces the long-term strategic value of our assets and our ambition to establish Helix as a significant integrated supplier of helium to US and global markets."
Enquiries:
Helix Exploration plc
Bo Sears / Keith Spickelmier
[email protected]
Hannam & Partners - Broker
Neil Passmore / Leif Powis
+44 (0)20 7907 8502
Vigo Consulting - Financial PR
Ben Simons / Patrick d'Ancona
+44 (0)20 7390 0234
[email protected]
About Helix
From explorer to integrated US helium producer in just over two years.
Helix Exploration PLC (LSE: HEX) is a US-focused helium producer and liquefier building an integrated position across the helium value chain. Its flagship Rudyard Project in Montana commenced production in February 2026, with first commercial sales in July 2026.
Helix is now expanding Rudyard through a drilling and processing capacity programme, supported by its own drilling rig, while the July 2026 acquisition of the Keyes Helium Complex in Oklahoma provides ownership of one of only six operational helium liquefaction facilities in the United States.
The combination of producing helium resources, owned drilling capability and liquefaction infrastructure gives Helix unique control across the value chain and creates multiple avenues for growth, including increased production, third-party processing and liquefaction.
On 23 October 2026, the United States Department of Energy designated helium as a critical material to strengthen American manufacturing and supply chain security.
Helix is focused on scaling a vertically integrated helium business positioned to serve the growing North American and global markets.
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