Mendell Helium PLC - Admission to AIM & First Day of Dealings
Announcement provided by
Mendell Helium plc · MDH16/06/2026 07:00

Mendell Helium plc
("Mendell Helium" or the "Company")
Admission to Trading on AIM and First Day of Dealings
Mendell Helium, the helium production company with operations in
Dealings in the Ordinary Shares on AIM will commence at 8:00 a.m. today under the TIDM "MDH" and the ISIN GB00BLD3FF28.
Additionally, the Company's Ordinary Shares will be withdrawn from trading on the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market with effect from 8.00 a.m. 30 June 2026, in accordance with AQSE Rule 5.3.
Mendell Helium is a helium producer in
Part 1 of the Admission Document is set out in the Appendix below.
Nick Tulloch, CEO of Mendell Helium, said:
"We are delighted to begin trading on AIM today. As we advance our significant development programme in
"We are supported by an exceptionally committed and talented team, and while there is considerable work ahead as we execute our plans, the foundations for growth are firmly in place. The success of the Rost 1-26 well has validated our strategy, and our extensive land position provides a strong platform from which to expand our operations.
"I would like to thank our shareholders and advisers for their continued support and confidence in Mendell Helium. As we enter this exciting new phase of growth, we look forward to keeping the market updated as our programme of new wells progresses over the coming months."
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the
ENDS
Engage with the Mendell Helium management team directly by asking questions, watching video summaries and seeing what other shareholders have to say. Navigate to our Interactive Investor website here: https://mendellhelium.com/link/PKa6Ve
Enquiries:
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Investor questions on this announcement We encourage all investors to share questions on this announcement via our investor website
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Mendell Helium plc Nick Tulloch, CEO
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Via our website investors@mendellhelium.com |
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Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (AQSE Corporate Adviser) Ludovico Lazzaretti / Liam Murray
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Tel: +44 (0) 20 7213 0880 |
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SI Capital Limited (Broker) Nick Emerson
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Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413500 |
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Fortified Securities Guy Wheatley
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Tel: +44 (0) 203 4117773
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Tel: +44 (0) 20 3973 3678 |
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AlbR Capital Limited Gavin Burnell / Colin Rowbury / Jon Belliss
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Tel: +44 (0) 207 4690930
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Brand Communications (Public & Investor Relations) Alan Green |
Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608
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Overview of Mendell Helium
Mendell Helium is a helium producer in
M3 Helium's flagship well, Rost 1-26, is in
M3 Helium has subsequently drilled a second well, Rost 2-26, which is currently being completed. It also owns additional leases in the
At the Rost wells in
M3 Helium also has interests in five producing wells (Peyton, Smith, Nilson, Bearman and
Appendix:
1. Introduction
Mendell Helium plc ("Mendell" or the "Company") (formerly Voyager Life plc) was incorporated as a private limited company on 12 November 2020 under the laws of
On 18 May 2026, Mendell acquired the entire issued share capital of M3 Helium Corporation ("M3 Helium"), a helium producer and exploration company based in
Helium (He) is an inert, non-renewable gas created by the natural decay of radioactive elements and primarily produced as a byproduct of natural gas production. Due to its unique physical properties, including low boiling point and non-reactivity, helium is a critical input across a range of advanced industries such as medical imaging, semiconductors, aerospace and fibre optics. Global helium demand was estimated at approximately 6 billion cubic feet (Bscf) in 2023 and is projected to grow to 8.7 Bscf by 2030.
Since entering into the M3 Helium Option in 2024, the Company has completed a number of fundraisings, and, in each case, has applied the net proceeds towards the continued development of M3 Helium's business by providing loans to M3 Helium. At the date of the Acquisition, the aggregate amount outstanding under these loans was
The number of Ordinary Shares in issue as at the date of this Document is 340,761,938 and the number of outstanding options, warrants and CLNs to subscribe for new Ordinary Shares is 34,750,618, 109,658,799 and 9,333,333 respectively. The Directors believe that Admission to AIM will better position the Company to pursue growth opportunities within the helium sector, while providing greater access to capital and an enhanced profile among institutional investors.
It is expected that Admission will become effective and dealings in the Share Capital will commence on AIM on or around 16 June 2026. Following Admission to AIM, the Company will cancel the trading of its Ordinary Shares on AQSE. The last day of dealings on AQSE is expected to be 29 June 2026, with the AQSE Cancellation becoming effective at 8.00 a.m. on 30 June 2026.
You should read the whole of this Admission Document and not just rely upon the information contained in this Part I. In particular, you should carefully consider the Risk Factors set out in Part II of this Admission Document. Your attention is also drawn to the information set out in Parts III to VII of this Admission Document.
2. Investment Case
The Directors of Mendell believe that the Group's key strengths can be summarised as follows:
Innovative technique for accessing gas reservoirs
M3 Helium's primary operations are in
The
Rost 1 is connected to a nearby salt water disposal well, Brobee, where water that is pumped from Rost 1 is delivered. This is an essential part of the operations as trucking water from site would be uneconomic. The water disposal capacity available at Brobee is expected to be materially greater than that required under current production for Rost 1. As a result, Brobee may be further modified to accommodate water production from offset wells in the
Furthermore, the Directors believe that this dewatering approach that has been employed at Rost 1 can be repeated across multiple other locations.
Low risk producing asset base
M3 Helium currently has six producing wells. Five of these producing wells are within the
Although the Company's focus in the near term will be on the development of the
Access to infrastructure
It is a fundamental part of the Company's strategy that its production wells have access to the market for helium. The helium market is immature and most sales are through bilateral agreements and not on the spot market. Furthermore, helium is challenging to contain and transport. Helium is often extracted as a minority part of a gas mixture and needs to be separated and purified.
All of M3 Helium's producing wells in the
Unprecedented short supply and increasing demand underpinning strong pricing
Helium is a vital element for a number of major technologies utilised on a daily basis, however the ability of existing and planned sources of helium supply to meet future demand is highly uncertain. A number of factors have come together to create a precarious situation, starting with the 1996 decision by the US government to sell off nearly its entire stockpile of helium, stored in a depleted natural gas field in
In addition to the depletion of the US government helium reserve, lower oil and gas prices have caused the cancellation or significant delay of a number of major energy projects. Helium has historically been produced as a by-product in a few large conventional oil & gas projects, which happened to have a high helium content. Many projects of this type with helium potential have been cancelled in the last few years, as they have been replaced by spending on oil & gas production from shale, which cannot generally trap or produce significant quantities of helium. As at the date of this Document, there are insufficient major projects under development in
Five major fields/facilities supply around 80 per cent. of global upstream helium. A similar number of large players control the distribution, which is often executed on privately negotiated contracts. Data on current supply/demand/prices are therefore not widely disclosed and create uncertainty around precise estimates. Furthermore, existing helium supply is structurally fragile, as an outage of one of the (limited number of) suppliers could have disproportionate effects.
The helium market is also influenced by geopolitical factors.
The Company expects a continued increase in demand underpinned by the lack of substitutes for helium in its main markets of MRIs and high-end science/engineering, including rapid growth in state-funded/private space exploration, pressure/purge applications and rising demand for semiconductors. A shortage in the early part of the last decade forced price spikes incentivising new supply (based on LNG plant start-ups), driving prices back to more normal levels. The Directors believe current supply constraints should continue to support pricing and may support marked increases.
Further detail on the global helium market can be found in paragraph 5 of Part I of this Document.
Support from local investors
On 9 December 2025, the Company announced that M3 Helium was approached by a group of US based investors (the "Investor Group") who expressed interest in supporting its expansion of
As announced on 16 April 2026, the Company entered into a series of binding agreements with Rixford in relation to the development of Rost Twin:
- Rixford is funding 35 per cent. of the expected cost of the Rost Twin and the upgrade of the Brobee salt water disposal well, being
- M3 Helium act as operator of the Rost Twin.
- Production from the Rost Twin will be processed at M3 Helium's facility at Rost 1, in return for which M3 Helium will earn a processing fee equal to 20 per cent. of gross production from the Rost Twin.
- Rixford has an option to acquire a 50 per cent. interest in the processing facility at development cost and, if it elects to do so the processing fee would cease.
- Rixford has been granted a right of first refusal to participate in up to five future wells drilled by M3 Helium or its affiliates in
- Pursuant to the Rost Agreements, Rixford has been granted a 35 per cent. working interest in the Rost Twin well.
M3 Helium has drilled the Rost Twin with a 7 inch casing (as opposed to the Rost 1 well which was drilled using a 5.5 inch casing). The larger casing will increase volume by approximately 62 per cent. enabling greater water removal. Evidence both from Rost 1 and also analogous wells in the same formation indicate a correlation between water removal and gas production. M3 Helium therefore believes this wider casing, coupled with an electric submersible pump, could enable the Rost Twin to be more productive than Rost 1.
Development of the
M3 Helium has been mapping out the formation to which the Rost 1 well has access. M3 Helium has leased further land (Bleumer and Enlow Farms) for possible future wells and it expects to continue to lease additional suitable locations as part of the Company's longer term strategy. As part of this strategy, M3 Helium has also been examining the location of gas pipelines. Although there is no gathering system directly proximate to Rost 1, there are nearby options that, should M3 Helium have several wells in production, may be economic to connect to in the future. Delivery of production via a pipeline negates the need for surface purification facilities and could enable sales of other components in the produced gases as well as helium.
Partnership with a
The Company announced on 25 March 2026 that M3 Helium has entered into a well workover agreement with Ritchie, a family-owned oil and gas operator headquartered in
Schneweis has previously produced consistently over 300 MSCF/D before production was shut down due to significant water production. As with Rost 1 and the Rost Twin, the target formation is the Morrow Sands. With a sustained de-watering programme and noting that Schneweis' drill stem test in 2022 exceeded 10,000 MSCF/D, the Company believes there is potential to increase production at Schneweis from historic levels.
Helium composition has been measured at 1.39 per cent. but, unlike Rost 1, there is a higher methane content of 70.06 per cent. Significantly Schneweis is connected to a pipeline owned by Ritchie and it is envisaged that all produced gas from the well will be delivered to that pipeline with no requirement for prior treatment. Accordingly, the economics of the well will include the sale of hydrocarbons as well as helium.
The Company will fund the new disposal well and recompletion of Schneweis to earn an initial 85 per cent. net profit interest in Schneweis. Once Mendell Helium has recovered 110 per cent. of its investment, its net profit interest falls to 70 per cent. Ritchie is entitled to bring the arrangement between the parties to an equal (50 per cent.) net profit interest by reimbursing the Company for 50 per cent. of the Schneweis recompletion costs.
If the Schneweis project is successful, the Company believes that there may be further opportunities to collaborate with Ritchie and other local operators to recomplete existing oil and gas wells.
Experienced and Balanced Management Team
The Directors have considerable expertise in the helium sector, wider oil and gas industry and the
M3 Helium founder Paul Mendell has enjoyed a long and successful career developing natural resources projects in the US, and has developed a significant network within the helium space. Nick Tulloch previously served as adviser to, and then Finance Director and Chief Executive Officer of,
John Brown has more than 25 years of international experience in oil and gas and related industries, working for numerous
Through Mr Mendell's geological expertise, Mr Tulloch's legal qualification, Mr Brown formerly working as a Chartered Accountant and Mr Boyle's career in asset management, the Directors therefore believe that this mix of relevant technical, operational and financial experience means that Mendell Helium's Board is ideally suited to deliver value for shareholders. Furthermore, the Directors have assembled a senior management team with extensive experience of the oil & gas industry in
3. Strategy
During 2025 M3 Helium re-completed Rost 1 in
Current Project - Rost Twin
The Rost Twin was drilled with a larger 7-inch casing based on M3 Helium's theory, supported both by its experience with Rost 1 and also analogous wells in
During drilling of the Rost Twin, M3 Helium employed a mass spectrometer, coupled with gas detection equipment, to assess the prospective hydrocarbon gases, hydrogen and helium in the well. Encouragingly, the mass spectrometer recorded several shows of helium in different potential production zones within the well. The helium was detected with low hydrocarbon signatures supporting M3 Helium's theory that the helium-rich sands from which Rost 1 produces extend to the Rost Twin.
A completion rig is on site at the Rost Twin and it is intended that the well will be perforated to maximise benefit from these helium zones. Thereafter, the ESP previously used on Rost 1 will be installed in the Rost Twin to commence the de-watering process. When the same process was applied to Rost 1, there were gas shows at a very early stage and gas production increased steadily, in line with water production, until a mature flow rate was achieved within three months of commencement.
As part of the completion of the Rost Twin, the neighbouring Brobee salt water disposal well ("Brobee SWD") will be upgraded to take water from the two production wells. A permit has been applied for and work began in May 2026. M3 Helium has also entered into the Rost Agreements with Rixford in relation to the development of the Rost Twin well.
Next Project - Schneweis
The Schneweis Ventures 13 well ("Schneweis"), operated by Ritchie, has previously produced consistently over 300 Mcf/day before production was shut down due to significant water production. As with Rost 1 and Rost Twin, the target formation is the Morrow Sands. With a sustained de-watering programme and noting that Schneweis' drill stem test in 2022 exceeded 10,000 Mcf/day, Mendell Helium believes there is potential to increase production from historic levels.
Helium composition at Schneweis has been measured at 1.39 per cent. but, unlike Rost 1, there is a higher methane content of 70.06 per cent. Significantly, Schneweis is connected to a pipeline owned by Ritchie and it is envisaged that all produced gas from the well will be delivered to that pipeline with no requirement for prior treatment. Accordingly, the economics of the well will include the sale of hydrocarbons as well as helium.
The Company will fund the new disposal well and recompletion of Schneweis to earn an initial 85 per cent. net profit interest in the project. Once the Company has recovered 110 per cent. of its investment, its net profit interest falls to 70 per cent. Ritchie is entitled to bring the arrangement between the parties to an equal (50 per cent.) net profit interest by reimbursing M3 Helium for 50 per cent. of the project costs.
Next steps
Based on the success so far of Rost 1 and the Rost Twin, M3 Helium intends to roll out a development of helium production zones in the
1. Drilling new 7 inch cased wells on land already leased by M3 Helium, specifically the Enlow and Bleumer leases; and
2. Re-completing existing third party wells that were shut in due to the presence of water, starting with Schneweis, in joint venture with Ritchie.
Alongside the above plans, M3 Helium intends to continue to lease additional land in
The Company raised gross proceeds of
Mendell Helium has estimated the following costs for the advancement of its operations at
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Use of Proceeds |
Indicative cost |
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Production well Includes drilling, completion and associated surface infrastructure |
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Disposal well Includes access to Arbuckle formation and triplex pump installation |
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Helium purification surface works Includes installation of condition unit, acquisition of membranes and PSA for helium concentration, set up of ground storage for helium and lease/purchase of Bauer compressor |
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It is important to note that each disposal well and helium purification plant are sized to accommodate up to four production wells.
Furthermore, the Company has identified material savings by carrying out these expansion opportunities simultaneously. These savings include no duplication of rig or team mobilisation costs as well as bulk purchase savings. The Fundraise therefore provides a significant advantage to Mendell Helium enabling it to accelerate its development plans and do so more cost effectively.
In line with the above, the Company intends to apply part of the net proceeds of the Fundraise towards the re-completion of Schneweis and the phased development of up to four further production wells, one disposal well and a new helium purification plant, subject in each case to operational progress and the Company maintaining sufficient working capital for its ongoing requirements.
4. Assets of M3 Helium/Details of M3 Helium's Tenements - Extracts from CPR
M3 Helium operates in two locations in
M3 Helium holds working interests in a portfolio of helium wells and associated acreage located primarily in the

Five of M3 Helium's productive wells are located in the Hugoton Field in southwestern
Figure 1: Hugoton Field Locator Map
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The gas from the Hugoton Field contains varying concentrations of helium, ranging from 0.3 to 1.9 per cent., and represents the largest reserves of helium in
Most of the gas in the Hugoton Field is produced from the Permian Chase Group. The illustration below shows a schematic cross-section across the field. Rocks that are deeper and older also produce oil and gas in the
Figure 2: Schematic Cross-Section, Hugoton Field
The Chase Group consists of interlayered carbonates, siliciclastics, and evaporites deposited in repeated sequences that are regionally continuous. The pore types within all carbonate layers are interconnected by a well-developed pore network that formed as a result of area-wide dolomitisation.
The bulk of M3 Helium's reserves are in the
Figure 3: Map showing Rost Well and Other Morrow Producers
Future development of
M3 Helium holds two additional leases (Bleumer and Enlow Farms) in the
The Morrow formation is typically around observed 5,000 feet from surface but often with narrow boundaries. Unlike in the
Reserves and Resources
The reserves estimates have been prepared by the Competent Person using standard petroleum engineering techniques in accordance with PRMS.
Reserves attributable to the Hugoton Field wells have been estimated using decline curve analysis of historical production data, supported by production performance from analogous wells where appropriate.
Table 1: Reserves Summary by Asset

Note: throughout this Document, MCF means thousands of standard cubic feet, MMCF means millions of standard cubic feet, Mgal means thousands of gallons, and M$ means thousands of US$.
In addition to the above reserve estimates, the Competent Person has also estimated prospective helium resources in the
Table 2: Summary of Prospective Resources Estimates,

Prospective resource estimates are probabilistic in nature and relate to undiscovered accumulations. There is no certainty that any portion of the prospective resources will be discovered or commercially recoverable.
The CPR includes estimates of future net cash flows attributable to the Company's reserves. These have been calculated on both a before income tax and after income tax basis and discounted at 10 per cent. per annum (NPV10), as summarised in the table below. Based solely on M3 Helium's reserves across the
Table 3: Value Summary by Asset

5. Helium Market
Background on Helium
Helium is an inert, non-renewable gas primarily produced through the natural decay of radioactive element and extracted primarily as a byproduct of natural gas production. Due to its unique physical properties, including low boiling point and non-reactivity, helium is a critical input across a range of advanced industries, including:
- Healthcare: MRI machines (cooling superconducting magnets)
- Semiconductors: Chip manufacturing and leak detection
- Aerospace: Pressurising and purging rocket fuel systems
- Welding & Industrial: Shielding gas in high-precision welding
- Cryogenics & Research: Essential for low-temperature experiments
Production of Helium
Whilst there is a large amount of helium in the atmosphere, it is prohibitively expensive to extract it from this source because its concentration is so low and, to do so, requires specialist equipment. It is estimated that distilling helium from the atmosphere would cost over
The process of drilling for helium is identical to drilling for natural gas, allowing for the use of the same rigs, tools and personnel in these operations. However, exploration for helium is challenging and requires significant technical knowledge related to helium generation (from the underground decay of uranium and thorium), concentration and migration through formation fluids, exsolution and migration into gas phase traps and reservoir evolution through time. Specialised expertise and methods across multiple disciplines are required to effectively search for new helium fields.
Supply of helium globally is extremely geographically concentrated, with the US and
There are two notable projects, the LaBarge field in the US and the North Field in
Helium Separation and Purification
Once a commercially viable helium reserve has been discovered and development wells have been drilled, there are two stages in the production of helium: separation and purification. Because even 0.3 per cent. helium in a bulk-gas is considered a high-concentration, the first step is to separate the helium from the other components of the bulk gas stream. This can be accomplished through three principal technologies, which are often combined depending on the composition of the gas stream:
Membrane Separation
The helium content of a gas can be upgraded or purified by using high-pressure membranes which either concentrate or purify helium through selective diffusion of relatively smaller gas molecules through microscopic pores in the medium. This technology is relatively new for helium separation applications and may not be suitable for longer-lifetime projects.
PSA or TSA
Pressure-Swing Adsorption (PSA) or Temperature-Swing Adsorption (TSA). These technologies use temperature or pressure to cause selective adsorption of different sized gas molecules into a medium with a large surface area consisting of uniformly sized pore spaces. These technologies are time-tested, reliable, and can be deployed at small scale. The downside is that this process is less efficient than cryogenic separation, in terms of both energy use and product losses during the process.
Cryogenic Separation
Similar to the air separation units (ASUs) that are deployed worldwide in the industrial gas business, this technology uses low temperatures to cause different gases to condense off as a liquid in a fractionation tower. This process is ideally suited to helium, which has the lowest condensation point of any gas, but requires large scale for efficiency and has a higher initial capital cost.
Helium Liquefication
In order to ship helium economically around the globe, like LNG, purified helium gas is liquefied prior to shipping so that it will fill a smaller volume. Liquid helium product also addresses a wider market, including those end-users who require the low temperatures of liquid helium. In the larger global helium plants, the gas is liquefied and stored in specialised 40 foot long ISO intermodal shipping containers. Due to the high value of helium, it can also be economically shipped regionally as a gas in high-pressure tube trailers, although shipping costs for helium gas are higher than for liquid helium.
Key Market Participants
There are numerous players involved in the helium market but a handful of companies control the majority of supply and distribution. Qatargas, the US Government (historically through the FHR, although this has now been sold as noted previously), Sonatranch in
Whilst the number of helium production and exploration companies continues to grow, the midstream helium purification stage is concentrated among mainly US based companies. The likes of Air Liquide, Linde, Air Products and Chemicals, and Matheson Tri-Gas play a critical role in refining, packaging, and distributing helium to end users globally.
Demand for Helium
As of 2025, global helium demand is estimated at approximately 6 billion standard cubic feet (Bscf) per annum, with
Other expected areas of growth include semiconductor, flat panel display, and optical fibre manufacturing in Eastern and
Pricing of Helium
Helium pricing is not transparent due to the absence of a formal commodities exchange and a relatively immature market. Prices are typically set through long-term contracts, although spot pricing can vary widely during supply disruptions. Helium prices have seen significant volatility over the past decade due to: the depletion of the
Pricing for helium producers reflects a mix of contract vintages, with older agreements often locked in at lower prices and more recent contracts commanding significantly higher rates. Over the past decade, helium prices have increased at a CAGR of around 20 per cent. but more recently growth has slowed.
Imports from
Over a longer 20-year period, average helium prices have increased at a CAGR of approximately 8 per cent., reaching around
Looking forward, if helium prices were to grow at a conservative 5 per cent. CAGR from 2022 through 2030, contract pricing would rise to approximately
To put these projections in context, the
More recently, the March 2026 Iran-Gulf conflict has underlined the sensitivity of helium pricing to disruption in
6. Regulatory Framework in
Application of Kansas Laws to Helium
The
Permitting Process
Exploration Notification
In
Drilling Permit
Before drilling a gas or test well, an operator must file an Application for Permit to Drill ("APD") with the Kansas Corporation Commission ("KCC") - Conservation Division. The application must be submitted with a certified well location and supporting documents, including casing design and blowout prevention details. Notification to affected landowners is required, and surface landowner permission must be obtained prior to entry.
Permit Approval Process
The KCC reviews applications for compliance with well construction standards, protection of groundwater, and public notice obligations. Requirements for surface casing, pit construction, and proposed completion techniques (including hydraulic fracturing) must be disclosed in the APD.
Spacing Requirements
Fees and Duration
As of current KCC regulations, fees for drilling permits are
Permit Expiration
Permits are generally valid for 12 months. If drilling does not commence within this period, a new application must be filed.
Transfer of Permit Location or Ownership
Permit transfers must be approved by the KCC. Operators acquiring a well must file a transfer form and provide updated bonding. No additional fee is required if depth and scope remain unchanged.
Hydraulic Fracturing
Leasing and Development
Mineral Estate Rights
Oil and Gas Leases
Oil and gas leases in
State-Owned Minerals
The Kansas State Land Office administers leasing of state-owned mineral rights. State leases typically include: a primary term (commonly 3-5 years), royalty rates of 12.5 per cent. to 16.67 per cent. and obligations to protect state property from drainage or pay compensatory royalties.
Drilling Notices & Reporting
Notice Requirements
Reporting Requirements
Operators must file: well completion reports within 90 days, production reports monthly, directional surveys for horizontal wells. The KCC maintains a public database for submitted well data.
Pooling and Unitisation
Pooling
Unitisation
Unitisation (the coordinated development of a reservoir) requires consent of at least 75 per cent. of mineral interest owners and approval from the KCC. It is generally used for secondary or enhanced recovery operations.
Compensation and Royalties
Leasing Bonuses and Royalties
Bonus and royalty amounts are contractually determined. The standard landowner royalty in
Royalty Payments and Records
Remedies for Nonpayment
A royalty owner may bring suit in district court and recover interest, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Environmental Protection
Air Emissions
Operators must comply with Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) requirements. Facilities emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may need air permits depending on throughput and control equipment.
Water Protection
Discharges of stormwater associated with oil and gas activity must comply with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) standards as administered by KDHE. Discharges that do not contact pollutants are typically excluded from permitting.
Non-Significant Activities
Low-risk activities, including minor oil and gas operations without surface water impact, are excluded from water quality permitting under KDHE guidelines.
Surface Access
Surface Damage Agreements
While not mandated by statute, surface damage compensation is often addressed by private agreement. Operators are encouraged to negotiate surface use terms in advance.
Penalties for Noncompliance
Failure to give proper notice or to repair surface damages may result in liability under tort or contract law.
7. The Company's historical operations
On 14 October 2024, Mendell Helium announced the disposal of its Voyager-branded plant based health & wellness business to Orsus and, on 11 November 2024, the Company confirmed that completion had taken place.
The Company's historical operations comprised:
- Manufacturing facility in
- E-commerce and wholesale operations based in
- Three brands: Voyager, Ascend Skincare and Amphora
- Three retail stores in
Prior to completion of the Disposal, agreements were reached to sublet the shops in
In consideration for the Disposal, Orsus entered into a
The share purchase agreement signed with Orsus contains warranties given by the Company relating to the Company's power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under the Disposal. In addition, a number of business warranties were given by the Company to Orsus (for example in respect of employment, assets, trading, litigation and intellectual property). Orsus' recourse against the Company for breach of warranties, indemnifications and otherwise under the share purchase agreement is limited to certain agreed liability caps, with an overall maximum liability capped at
On 23 July 2025, the Company announced that it had implemented a bitcoin treasury policy and its intention to potentially mine or purchase bitcoin as part of this strategy. As at the date of this Document, the Company has decided to terminate its bitcoin treasury policy and any potential bitcoin or crypto related mining activities. To date, the Company has neither mined nor purchased any crypto assets including bitcoin.
8. Reasons for Admission
The Company is seeking Admission in order to take advantage of AIM's profile, broad investor base, liquidity and access to institutional and other investors and to further support the achievement of its strategic objectives. The Company noted strong investor support for its fundraises completed during 2025 and earlier in 2026 and the positive sentiment towards seeking admission to AIM as an alternative to continued trading on AQSE, which reinforced the Board's decision to pursue Admission. The Board is also aware of one of the
The Company believes that Admission to AIM will provide access to a broader institutional investor base, enhanced liquidity, and greater profile within the public markets. The Board considers AIM to be a more suitable platform to support the Group's future growth strategy.
9. Directors
The Board consists of a professional team with experience in helium development and growing companies.
Eric James Boyle (aged 72) - Independent Non-Executive Chairman
Eric Boyle has over 30 years' experience in stockbroking, fund management and investment banking and was a partner of Smith & Williamson Investment Management LLP. During his career, Eric co-founded two
Nicholas ("Nick") George Selby Tulloch (aged 53) - Chief Executive Officer
Nick Tulloch advised companies on the
Paul Ethan Mendell (aged 60) - Executive Director
Paul is an oil and gas producer and co-founder of two
John Davies Brown (aged 61) - Independent Non-Executive Director
John has more than 25 years of international experience in oil and gas and related industries, including eight years' experience with operations in
Further details of the terms on which the Directors are appointed are set out at paragraph 7 of Part VII of this Document.
10. Financial Information
Financial Information on the Group is included in Part III and Part IV of this Document.
11. Current trading, future prospects and significant trends
In terms of any known trends, uncertainties, demands, commitments or events that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on the Group's prospects for at least the current financial year, investors should refer to paragraph 5 of Part I above (in relation to commodities, products and markets) and Part II (in respect of risk factors).
12. Lock-ins and orderly market arrangements
The Directors who, on Admission, will hold in aggregate 41,096,411 Ordinary Shares (representing approximately 12.06 per cent. of the Share Capital) have undertaken not to (and to use their best endeavours to procure that their connected persons shall not), save in limited circumstances, dispose of any of their interests in Ordinary Shares (including any Ordinary Shares that they may acquire through the exercise of Options or otherwise) at any time prior to the first anniversary of Admission.
Further details of the lock-in and orderly-market arrangements are set out in paragraph 11 of Part VII of this Document.
13. Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance
The Board currently and historically has applied the ten principles of the Quoted Companies Corporate Governance Code (the "QCA Code") on a "comply-or-explain" basis. Following Admission and the AQSE Cancellation, the Group will continue to apply the QCA Code from the date of Admission.
The Board, which meets formally at least six times a year, is responsible for the management of the business of the Company, establishing the policies and setting the strategic direction of the Company. The Company also holds additional Board meetings as and when required. It is the Directors' responsibility to oversee the financial position of the Group and monitor the business and affairs of the Company on behalf of the Shareholders, to whom they are accountable. The primary duty of the Directors is to act in the best interests of the Company at all times. The Board also addresses issues relating to internal control and the Company's approach to risk management and has adopted an anti-corruption and bribery policy.
Mendell Helium has established an Audit and Risk Committee and a Remuneration and Nomination Committee with formally delegated duties and responsibilities.
Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee assists the Board in, amongst other matters, discharging its responsibilities with regard to financial reporting, external and internal audits and controls, including reviewing the Company's annual financial statements, reviewing and monitoring the extent of non-audit work undertaken by external auditors, advising on the appointment, reappointment, removal and independence of external auditors, and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group's internal audit activities, internal controls and risk management systems. The ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving the annual report and accounts and the half-yearly reports remains with the Board.
The Audit and Risk Committee is also responsible for (i) advising the Board on the Company's risk strategy, risk policies and current risk exposures, (ii) overseeing the implementation and maintenance of the overall risk management framework and systems, (iii) reviewing the Group's risk assessment processes and capability to identify and manage new risks and (iv) monitoring potential and actual changes to legislation, especially around the Company's products.
The Audit and Risk Committee will meet with appropriate employees of the Group at least once annually. The membership of the Audit and Risk Committee comprises John Brown (as its Chairperson) and Eric Boyle.
The Audit and Risk Committee will meet formally twice a year at appropriate intervals in the financial reporting and audit cycle and otherwise as required.
Remuneration and Nomination Committee
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee assists the Board in determining its responsibilities in relation to remuneration and nominations, including, amongst other matters, making recommendations to the Board on the Company's policy on executive remuneration, determining the individual remuneration and benefits package of each of the executive directors.
The membership of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee comprises John Brown (as its Chairperson) and Eric Boyle.
The Remuneration and Nomination Committee will meet formally twice a year and otherwise as required.
In addition, Mendell Helium's corporate governance is supported by the following:
Share Dealing Code
The Company has adopted a code for directors' and employees' dealings appropriate for a company whose shares are admitted to trading on AIM and will take all reasonable steps to ensure compliance by the Directors and all employees.
Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy
The Company has adopted an anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy consistent with the
The policy specifically addresses facilitation payments or gifts and hospitality, dealings with public officials, political donations, lobbying and advocacy and charitable donations, and includes provisions dealing with notification, as well as provisions regarding disciplinary action in the event that any part of the anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy has been breached. New and existing staff are required under the policy to be trained and the Company's approach to anti-bribery and anti-corruption must be communicated to its business partners.
Environmental and climate-related compliance
The business of helium exploration and production involves operational, environmental and regulatory risks. In pursuing its business objectives, the Company seeks to operate in a responsible manner that takes account of environmental and climate-related considerations while delivering long-term value to shareholders and benefits to the communities in which it operates. The Company intends to conduct its activities in accordance with applicable environmental laws, regulations and permits in the jurisdictions in which it operates and to implement appropriate monitoring and operational procedures in support of these objectives.
Exploration, drilling and production activities are subject to a range of risks and hazards, including adverse weather conditions, industrial accidents, well control incidents, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, contamination or the release of hydrocarbons or other substances, and interruptions to infrastructure or operations. The Company intends to engage suitably qualified staff and experienced contractors and to adopt appropriate operational practices in order to manage these risks. Oversight of environmental matters, compliance and related governance will be undertaken by the Board.
14. Options and Warrants
Options
The Company has agreed to grant, immediately prior to and conditional on Admission taking place, options over 33,322,800 new Ordinary Shares, each exercisable at
Further details of the Options are set out in paragraph 8 of Part VII of this Document.
Warrants
On Admission, the Company will have 109,658,799 Warrants in issue at exercise prices between
Further details of the Warrants are set out in paragraphs 4 of Part VII of this Document.
Convertible Loan Notes
The Company has
Further details of the CLNs are set out in paragraphs 12 of Part VII of this Document
15. Dividend Policy
Mendell Helium has, to date, been loss-making but the potential of new production wells in
16. Taxation
Information regarding certain taxation considerations for corporate, individual and trustee Shareholders in the
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trust (VCT)
The Company has applied for and obtained advance assurance from HMRC that the New Ordinary Shares will be eligible for EIS purposes, subject to the submission of the relevant claim form in due course.
The Company has applied for and obtained advance assurance from HMRC that the New Ordinary Shares should be eligible shares under VCT provisions.
The obtaining of such advance assurance and submission of such a claim by the Company does not guarantee EIS qualification for an individual, whose claim for relief will be conditional upon his or her own circumstances and is subject to holding the shares throughout the relevant three-year period.
The continuing status of the New Ordinary Shares as qualifying for EIS purposes will be conditional on qualifying conditions being satisfied throughout the relevant period of ownership. Neither the Company nor the Directors give any warranty, representation or undertaking that any investment in the Company by way of EIS Shares will remain a qualifying investment for EIS purposes.
17. Applicability of the Takeover Code
The Takeover Code applies to the Company. Under Rule 9 of the Takeover Code, any person who acquires an interest (as defined in the Takeover Code) in shares which, taken together with shares in which that person or any person acting in concert with that person is interested, carry 30 per cent. or more of the voting rights of a company which is subject to the Takeover Code, is normally required to make a general offer to all the remaining Shareholders to acquire their shares.
Similarly, when any person, together with persons acting in concert with that person, is interested in shares which, in the aggregate, carry not less than 30 per cent. of the voting rights of such company, but does not hold shares carrying more than 50 per cent. of the voting rights of the company, an offer will normally be required if such person or any person acting in concert with that person acquires a further interest in shares which increases the percentage of shares carrying voting rights in which that person is interested.
Further, under Rule 37.1 of the Code, when a company redeems or purchases its own shares, any resulting increase in the percentage of voting rights carried by the shares in which a person, or group of persons acting in concert, is interested will be treated as an acquisition of interests in shares carrying voting rights for the purpose of Rule 9.1 of the Code. An offer under Rule 9 of the Code must be made in cash at the highest price paid by the person required to make the offer, or any person acting in concert with such person, for any interest in shares of the company during the 12 months prior to the announcement of the offer.
An offer under Rule 9 must be in cash at the highest price paid by the person required to make the offer, or any person acting in concert with such person, for any interest in shares of the company during the 12 months prior to the announcement of the offer.
The Company has agreed with the Takeover Panel that the following individuals and entities are presumed to be acting in concert in relation to the Company by virtue of previous business relationships and their connected persons: (1) Nick Tulloch; (2) Sarah Tulloch; (3) Fetlar Capital Limited; (4) Eric Boyle; (5) Susan Boyle; (6) Laura Boyle (7) Marcus Boyle; (8) Paul Mendell and (9) Julie Mendell (together the "Concert Party").
On Admission, the Concert Party will be interested in 44,979,861 Ordinary Shares, representing approximately 13.20 per cent. of the Company's Share Capital.
Further information on the provisions of the Takeover Code and the holdings of the Concert Party is set out in paragraph 20 of Part VII of this Document.
18. AQSE Cancellation, Admission, Settlement and Dealings
Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the Share Capital to be admitted to trading on AIM. It is expected that Admission will become effective and dealings will commence in the Ordinary Shares at 8.00 a.m. on 16 June 2026. No application has or will be made for the Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading or to be listed on any other stock exchange.
In connection with Admission, the Company will cancel the trading of its Ordinary Shares on AQSE. The last day of dealings on AQSE is expected to be 29 June 2026, with the AQSE Cancellation becoming effective at 8.00 a.m. on 30 June 2026.
The above-mentioned dates and times may be subject to change and will be notified accordingly.
No application has or will be made for the Options, Warrants or CLNs to be admitted to trading or to be listed on any other stock exchange and a register of holders of Warrants will be maintained by the Company. Upon exercise of an Option, Warrant or CLN, a holder will be issued new Ordinary Shares which the Company will procure to be admitted to trading on AIM. Further details of the Options, Warrants and CLNs are set out in paragraph 4, 8 and 12 respectively of Part VII of this Document.
The Ordinary Shares are in registered form and are capable of being held in either certificated or uncertificated form (i.e. in CREST).
Cairn has been appointed as the Company's nominated adviser in relation to the Admission and the Brokers have each been appointed as the Company's Broker in relation to the Admission.
19. CREST
CREST is a paperless settlement system enabling securities to be evidenced otherwise than by a certificate and transferred otherwise than by written instrument in accordance with the CREST Regulations.
The Ordinary Shares will be eligible for CREST settlement. Accordingly, following Admission, settlement of transactions in the Ordinary Shares may take place within the CREST system if a Shareholder so wishes. CREST is a voluntary system and Shareholders who wish to receive and retain share certificates are able to do so.
For more information concerning CREST, Shareholders should contact their stockbroker or Euroclear
20. Risk Factors and Additional Information
Your attention is drawn to the additional information set out in Parts II to VII (inclusive) of this Document. You are recommended to read all the information contained in this Document and not just rely on the key or summarised information. In particular, prospective investors should read in full the Risk Factors set out in Part II of this Document.
The technical information contained in this Document has been reviewed and approved by the Competent Person insofar as it relates to the contents of their Competent Person's Report. The Competent Person has consented to the inclusion of the technical information in this Document relating to their Competent Person's Report in the form and context in which it appears.
21. Extraction of information from the Competent Person's Report
This Part I contains cross-references to information contained in the Competent Person's Report set out in Part VI of this Document. The Company confirms that such information has been accurately reproduced and that so far as the Company is aware and is able to ascertain from the Competent Person's Report, no facts have been omitted which would render such extracts inaccurate or misleading. The Competent Person has reviewed the information contained in this Document which relates to information contained in their Competent Person's Report and has confirmed in writing to the Company and Cairn that the information presented is accurate, balanced and complete and not inconsistent with the Competent Person's Report from which such information has been extracted.
Forward Looking Statements
These forward-looking statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections about its industry; its beliefs; and assumptions. Words such as 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates,' and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control, are difficult to predict, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions security holders and prospective security holders not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect the view of the Company only as of the date of this announcement. The forward-looking statements made in this announcement relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. The Company will not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions or updates to these forward-looking statements to reflect events, circumstances, or unanticipated events occurring after the date of this announcement except as required by law or by any appropriate regulatory authority.
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1 |
Details of the persons discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
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a) |
Name
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A) Nick Tulloch B) Eric Boyle C) Paul Mendell |
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2 |
Reason for the notification
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a) |
Position/Status
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A) Chief Executive Officer B) Chairman C) Chief Technical Officer |
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b) |
Initial notification/ Amendment
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Initial |
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3 |
Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
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a) |
Name
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Mendell Helium plc |
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b) |
LEI
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213800XIUQ3AHRZ6UF89 |
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4 |
Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
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a) |
Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument
Identification code
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Ordinary shares of
GB00BLD3FF28
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b) |
Nature of the transaction |
Grant of options over new Ordinary Shares
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c) |
Price(s) and volume(s)
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d) |
Aggregated information
- Aggregated volume
- Price
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N/A
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e) |
Date of transaction
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16 June 2026 |
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f) |
Place of transaction
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1 |
Details of the persons discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated
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a) |
Name
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Paul Mendell |
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2 |
Reason for the notification
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a) |
Position/Status
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Chief Technical Officer |
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b) |
Initial notification/ Amendment
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Initial |
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3 |
Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor
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a) |
Name
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Mendell Helium plc |
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b) |
LEI
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213800XIUQ3AHRZ6UF89 |
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4 |
Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted
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a) |
Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument
Identification code
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Ordinary shares of
GB00BLD3FF28
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b) |
Nature of the transaction |
Grant of warrants over new Ordinary Shares
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c) |
Price(s) and volume(s)
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d) |
Aggregated information
- Aggregated volume
- Price
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N/A
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e) |
Date of transaction
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16 June 2026 |
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f) |
Place of transaction
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