Benton, Metals Creek Report Hydrogen-Helium Gas Anomalies in Newfoundland

Benton Resources Inc. and Metals Creek Resources Corp. have reported encouraging preliminary results from a recently completed soil-gas exploration program at their Smoking Gun and Parson’s Pond hydrogen-helium projects in western Newfoundland. The survey identified four new highly prospective soil-gas anomalies, with two anomalies recorded at each project, providing additional evidence that the properties could host subsurface natural hydrogen and helium.

The regional exploration program collected 710 soil samples over approximately two weeks. Samples were analyzed for hydrogen, helium, neon, carbon dioxide, and C1-C4 hydrocarbons. The work was overseen by Rudiger Re-Chem, which conducted the sampling and analytical program. Although the findings remain at an early exploration stage, the companies said the anomalies support the potential for active subsurface gas systems.

At the Smoking Gun Project, located within Newfoundland’s Deer Lake sedimentary basin, two broad and highly prospective hydrogen-helium anomalies were identified. Hydrogen concentrations reached as high as 600 parts per million (ppm), while helium values reached 7.7 ppm. The geological setting contains shales, sandstones and conglomerates, along with serpentine and chrome-bearing material, conditions that the companies consider favorable for natural hydrogen generation through water-rock interactions.

Historical drilling also provides supporting exploration indicators. Drill hole 79-67 reportedly recorded helium concentrations of up to 8.9 ppm in water samples, while other historical wells encountered high-pressure gas. The companies believe fault structures, porous sandstone and conglomerate units, groundwater interaction, and overlying shale seals could provide pathways and trapping conditions for hydrogen and helium.

At Parson’s Pond, two significant hydrogen anomalies were detected, with concentrations reaching up to 900 ppm. The property covers a substantial portion of the prospective Parson’s Pond Basin, where geological features including sandstones, shales, glauconite and oxygen-poor groundwater may support natural hydrogen generation and gas entrapment.

Several historical drill holes in the region recorded significant gas occurrences, including methane concentrations as high as 72%. Gas-venting observations and clusters of hydrogen anomalies near a historical high-pressure gas well further support the possibility of an active subsurface gas system.

Despite the encouraging findings, large portions of both projects remain unsampled. Additional passive soil-gas surveys and exploration may therefore be required to determine whether individual anomalies are connected and to better define potential hydrogen and helium sources. The companies emphasized that the presence of gas or methane does not guarantee the existence of hydrogen or helium, and further investigation is necessary.

Chemical Commodity Price Impact

The results could increase the exploration value and strategic appeal of Benton and Metals Creek’s hydrogen-helium projects, particularly if subsequent drilling confirms economically recoverable resources. However, the findings are preliminary and are unlikely to immediately alter commercial hydrogen or helium supply. If further exploration establishes a viable natural-hydrogen resource, it could eventually provide an additional low-carbon hydrogen feedstock and reduce reliance on conventional production routes. For helium, successful development could add a new domestic supply source and potentially ease tight-market conditions. In the near term, therefore, the impact on ChemAnalyst-tracked hydrogen and helium prices should remain limited, with meaningful price implications dependent on resource confirmation and future production capacity.