ENEOS Xplora Inc. announced its investment in Gold Hydrogen Ltd., an Australian-based natural hydrogen and helium exploration company, amounted approximately $2.9 MM. Hydrogen is expected to be a clean energy source without emitting CO₂.

However, it currently needs to be extracted by electrolysis of water or reforming natural gas, which is costly and cannot significantly increase supply. In this context, "natural hydrogen" is known to be generated in nature and exists underground like oil and natural gas. It is expected to produce large quantities of hydrogen at a lower cost, leading to increased research and development worldwide.

Additionally, the worldwide demand for helium is expected to steadily increase for using in a wide range of industrial fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, optical fiber manufacturing, space industry, and medical industry. However, it is known as a rare natural resource because it cannot be artificially generated.

Gold Hydrogen started the natural hydrogen and helium exploration project (Ramsay Project) in South Australia in 2022 and confirmed the presence of high-purity natural hydrogen and helium by drilling two exploration wells in 2023. We have decided to invest with the aim of contributing to the exploration and development of natural hydrogen and helium reserved underground.

Our company will actively work on resources such as natural hydrogen and helium, utilizing the subsurface technology cultivated in oil and natural gas business, for stable energy supply and for achieving carbon neutrality at the same time.