French helium exploration firm 45-8 Energy has confirmed helium and nitrogen-rich deep formations at Fonts-Bouillants exploration licence in Nièvre, France.
The gases have been identified at depths up to approximately 1,500 metres, greater than those encountered during previous campaigns, with producing intervals located between 900 and 1,250 metres. Estimated potential is more than 70,000 Nm3/day with helium concentration of 0.31% to 0.35%.
45-8 Energy plans to submit a mining concession application to the mining authority this summer and launch detailed engineering studies to design the required infrastructure ahead of a final investment decision.
©45-8 Energy
45-8 Fonts-Bouillants, a 100% subsidiary of 45-8 Energy – an Ad Terra company – will operate the site. Technical partners include SMP Energies, Elyteq, Gexplore, PetroLS, Weatherford, Well Service Group and Smart Seismic Solutions. The pilot project was launched in .
45-8 Energy is active across the entire helium value chain, from exploration and production to distribution and recycling; it has also developed RECYCL’He, billed as the first helium recovery and recycling service in Europe.
The timely discovery comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, fragile supply chains and rapidly growing demand for helium across industrial sectors.
