UK-based H2Au Secures Kansas Natural Hydrogen Operator Licence
30 July 2025, London, UK: H2Au Ltd – a privately-owned, geoscience-led clean energy developer, focused on natural hydrogen – has been granted an operator license by the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC).
Natural hydrogen is an abundant, low cost, low carbon and sustainable energy source that is gaining attention as cost effective, clean alternative to politically charged global oil and gas reserves.
H2Au Ltd (“H2Au” or “the company”) 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 forged world class JV partnerships, engaged with blue-chip investors and off-takers, and gained early mover advantage by securing over 4 million acres of lease areas in Kansas, Iowa and South Africa.
Owain Jackson, CEO of H2Au, says: “This Kansas operating licence provides a key regulatory step forward to H2Au, our partners, our suppliers and our investors, as we all move closer to realising the potential of natural hydrogen production in the region. We can now progress our operations, with even greater confidence, towards drilling, offtake agreements and, ultimately, full scale production in a global market estimated at $6 trillion per year, with seven gigatonnes of potential annual emissions savings by 2050.”
H2Au’s Kansas acreage includes joint leases with 45-8 Energy, in directly adjacent blocks to recently successful hydrogen and helium drilling. The company is in advanced discussions with potential offtakers for its Kansas and Iowa leases, ranging from feedstock for nearby refineries and fertiliser manufacturers, to power for data centres driven by increasing AI and crypto-currency demand.
Nicolas Pelissier, President of 45-8 Energy adds: “The granting of the operating licence to H2Au marks a pivotal step forward in advancing activities across our joint acreage in Kansas. The moment has come for our alliance to move decisively toward delivering a clean, scalable, and low-carbon energy solution, with natural hydrogen production in the Mid-Continent USA uniquely positioned to make that vision a reality”.
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”.
Greg Niellez, Director of Operations at H2Au, continues: “I’d like to thank all those involved in helping us reach this landmark in H2Au’s commercialisation roadmap: the KCC, for granting the licence in under a month; the Kansas Geological Survey; our own US team; fellow developers; and the local businesses and communities who have welcomed us so enthusiastically.”
Following seed funding in 2024, H2Au is currently seeking further strategic investors on two levels: via a Series A corporate round in the UK; and as project Joint Venture partners with 45-8 Energy in the USA. Funds from both investment opportunities will be utilised for drilling, data collection and early production across its US licence portfolio.
Owain concludes: “As a zero-carbon energy source, unlocked by proven geoscience techniques, and delivered via established oil and gas supply chains, Natural hydrogen has truly bipartisan appeal; bridging between the net zero and “drill baby drill” lobbies. With this new operating licence we can further accelerate our active, near-term development programme with renewed commitment from current and future investors.”
More about H2Au
H2Au is science led and commercially driven natural hydrogen and helium exploration company. In partnership with respected academic institutions, such as Heriott-Watt University and the British Geological Survey, it apples unique play-based models from over a hundred years of energy and mining experience to identify and develop sustainable, bankable hydrogen prospects.
This approach has been acknowledged and published by prestigious organisations such as the IEA, The Geological Society of London and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
H2Au’s mission is to leverage its Intellectual Property – grounded in its licence portfolio, geoscience models, exploration techniques and strategic partnerships – to achieve a sustainable energy future.
