Helix Exploration PLC (AIM: HEX, OTCQB: HEXFF) announced that the Montana Oil and Gas Conservation Board (MBOGC) has asked the company to suspend production at its helium facility in Rudyard, Montana. The board’s request follows a site visit that raised concerns over the handling of associated gas, noting that Helix is the state’s first helium producer and its production processes have not been fully defined.
Helix began commercial operations at the Rudyard site in July 2026. A hearing with the MBOGC is scheduled for October 15, 2026, after which the company hopes to obtain the necessary permits to resume sales. CEO Bo Sears said the firm is cooperating with regulators to address the board’s concerns.
The company has continued processing at its Keyes liquefaction plant in Oklahoma. It also completed three short‑term spot sales of helium in tube trailers to an industrial gas customer, extending the agreement through the end of the month.
In parallel, Helix received approval for a drilling license on the Ollie #1 well, targeting the northern dome extension. Drilling is slated to start the week of a Monday and finish by October 31, 2026. The Inez #1 well, however, encountered equipment snags that prevented full access to the target interval. Earlier testing at Inez #1 showed helium concentrations of 1.2% and an absolute open flow rate of 1,157 Mcf per day in the Lower Souris and Red River formations.
