Noble Helium Ltd ( ASX:NHE , OTC:NBHEF , FRA:GN1 ) has applied for an exploration permit covering about 7,760 square kilometres in Western Australia's Southern Carnarvon Basin after groundwater sampling identified elevated helium and hydrogen levels.
The proposed Merlinleigh permit extends across the Merlinleigh Sub-basin and Gascoyne Platform, within acreage added through the company's acquisition of Earth Source Hydrogen in September 2026.
The application follows detailed geological work and independent analysis of data from an extensive groundwater bore sampling program completed earlier this year.
Merlinleigh Exploration Permit area within the SPA-44 AO boundary.
Sampling supports Merlinleigh plans
Earth Source Hydrogen conducted the sampling across Special Prospecting Authority SPA 44 AO, which contains the proposed Merlinleigh permit area.
Noble Helium considers both regions prospective for helium and hydrogen, pointing to a possible shared source associated with faults along the basin margin and ancient geological structures deep beneath the surface.
The company has lodged its application with Western Australia's Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration, alongside a work program designed to improve its understanding of the area's geology and resource potential.
Executive chairman Dennis Donald described the elevated helium and hydrogen measurements as encouraging.
"Applying for an Exploration Permit is the first step in understanding the potential of the Merlinleigh block," he said.
Building a broader exploration portfolio
Noble Helium recently completed its acquisition of Earth Source Hydrogen Ltd , adding more than 40,000 square kilometres of prospective helium and hydrogen acreage in Western Australia's Southern Carnarvon Basin. All Earth Source Hydrogen shareholders accepted the transaction and all conditions have been satisfied. The acquisition brings three Special Prospecting Authority areas spanning the Yilgarn Craton and western sedimentary basins, giving Noble Helium exclusive rights to apply for exploration licences across the acreage.
Water bore sampling has been completed across two of the areas, SPA-47 AO and SPA-44 AO, with independent analysis and evaluation underway. Noble Helium intends to use the findings to support potential exploration permit applications and will release a summary once the assessment is complete. At the third area, SPA/AO-0145, the company plans to undertake a ground gravity survey once native title agreements are concluded and an environmental plan has been approved.
The Western Australian assets broaden Noble Helium's exploration portfolio alongside its North Rukwa helium project in Tanzania's East African Rift System.
The company is looking to develop new helium supplies for industrial applications, including medical diagnostics, scientific research and space exploration.
