H2Au’s exclusive hydrogen exploration licence applications in South Africa accepted
Accelerating portfolio execution and attracting considerable interest from potential JV partners
15 January 2026, London, UK: H2Au Ltd – a privately-owned, deep-tech clean energy developer, focussed on natural hydrogen – confirms that the Petroleum Agency SA (PASA) has formally accepted its two applications for exclusive exploration rights totalling over three million acres, subject to final granting by the Minister of Mines and Energy. These three-year licences follow H2Au’s completion, on time and on budget, of its obligations under previous one-year Technical Cooperation Permits (TCPs) – with compelling results from extensive field studies and deployment of its unrivalled, proprietary natural hydrogen discovery technologies.
The applications cover approximately 3.4 million acres of South Africa’s Bushveld region, where H2Au’s previous TCP studies have revealed promising results. These areas, which have been high-graded for natural hydrogen potential, lie within a major industrial and mining corridor where H2Au is engaging with potential hydrogen off-takers for reliable clean power, heat and fertiliser production. Historic mine workings across South Africa have recorded hydrogen concentrations of up to 80% [1] and recent sampling studies confirm hydrogen at depth within the Bushveld Complex.
Owain Jackson, H2Au CEO comments: “Successfully completing our TCP studies marks a significant milestone for H2Au in South Africa; demonstrating our ability to execute on natural hydrogen exploration projects ahead of the curve. The positive outcomes – driven by extensive fieldwork and data acquisition, and detailed analysis using our proprietary workflows and technologies – have reinforced our confidence in the natural hydrogen potential of this region.”
H2Au was founded in 2022 by FTSE 100 oil, gas, and mining exploration experts, with decades of experience in energy prospecting and production. Since then, H2Au has developed unrivalled proprietary discovery technologies, forged world class JV partnerships, engaged with blue-chip investors and off-takers, and gained early mover advantage by securing over four million acres of lease areas in South Africa and the USA. In October 2025 H2Au was shortlisted by Blue Earth, from thousands of global organisations, as a top 10 growth company and BE100 “planet positive” business.
Natural hydrogen has the potential to be an abundant, low cost, low carbon and sustainable energy source that is gaining attention as a cost effective, clean alternative to politically charged global oil and gas reserves. The US Geological Survey has estimated that around 5.6 trillion tonnes of geologic hydrogen is already trapped underground around the world, and that another 15-31 million tonnes are created each year. That, it says, is “twice the amount of energy in all the proven natural gas reserves on Earth.”
Having successfully lodged its applications, H2Au is currently running a process to select joint venture partners to support capital development of the projects and enhance its route to market.
Owain concludes: “While it is still early days, we are excited to advance to the next phase and look forward to constructive engagement with the Petroleum Agency of South Africa and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, as our applications progress. We are encouraged by the interest received so far from prospective joint venture partners who also recognise the potential of natural hydrogen in these projects.”
[1] Cook et al., 1998
For investment enquiries, please contact:
For press enquiries, imagery or an interview, please contact:
Justin Heath
Resonates PR
+44 1635 898698
More about H2Au
H2Au’s mission is to leverage its Intellectual Property – grounded in its licence portfolio, geoscience models, exploration techniques, databases and strategic partnerships – to achieve a sustainable energy future.
H2Au is deeptech natural hydrogen and helium exploration company. In partnership with respected academic institutions, such as Heriott-Watt University and the British Geological Survey, it applies unrivalled, proprietary geochemical and geophysical models, approaches and data to identify and develop sustainable, bankable hydrogen prospects.
These approaches have been acknowledged and published by prestigious organisations such as the IEA, The Geological Society of London and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
