Whitebark Energy Spots Hydrogen and Hydrocarbon Hotspots at Alinya Project

Emerging Hydrogen and Hydrocarbon Signals

Whitebark Energy Limited (ASX:WBE) has announced highly encouraging results from King Energy’s Alinya Project in South Australia’s Officer Basin. A recent multispectral remote spectroscopy study, conducted by remote sensing specialist DIRT Exploration, has identified multiple potential hydrogen and hydrocarbon emission hotspots across the project area. These anomalies, detected via Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, correspond closely with mapped subsurface prospects and fault trends, suggesting an active subsurface resource system.

The study highlights significant emissions of white hydrogen, methane, and ethane, with hotspots notably coinciding with vintage wells such as Munta-1, which previously recovered trace hydrogen and helium during drill stem testing. These findings imply the presence of gaseous and liquid energy resources that may be trapped underground and leaking at low rates to the surface.

Next Steps: In-Field Testing and Seismic Surveys

Building on these remote sensing results, King Energy plans to deploy autonomous gas detection sensors in May 2025 to validate and calibrate the identified emission hotspots. The data from this in-field survey will be integrated with existing subsurface interpretations to refine prospect rankings and pinpoint optimal locations for 2D seismic in-fill acquisition, scheduled for the second half of 2025.

Following seismic data acquisition, the project aims to advance towards exploration drilling, marking a critical phase in confirming the commercial viability of the identified resources. This methodical approach underscores King Energy’s commitment to rigorous technical evaluation before committing to costly drilling operations.

Strategic Implications Amid Acquisition

Whitebark Energy’s recent submission of a Bidder’s Statement to acquire all shares and options in King Energy adds a strategic dimension to these developments. With King Energy holding a 70% interest (with an option for 100%) in Officer Energy Pty Ltd, which owns the Alinya Project’s Petroleum Exploration Licences (PELs) 81 and 253, the acquisition would position Whitebark to accelerate its footprint in Australia’s emerging hydrogen and hydrocarbon sectors.

Whitebark’s Executive Director Mark Lindh expressed strong support for King Energy’s accelerated work program, emphasizing anticipation for the project’s maturation to drill-ready status. Meanwhile, King Energy Director Richard King highlighted that the recent study results validate their technical thesis and reinforce confidence in the basin’s resource potential.

Broader Context and Outlook

The Alinya Project spans a substantial 19,467 square kilometres in the Officer Basin, a region gaining attention for its prospective energy resources. The integration of advanced remote sensing technologies with traditional geological and geophysical methods exemplifies a modern exploration strategy aimed at reducing risk and enhancing discovery potential.

As the energy sector increasingly pivots towards hydrogen alongside conventional hydrocarbons, projects like Alinya could play a pivotal role in Australia’s energy transition. The coming months will be critical as in-field gas detection and seismic surveys provide more definitive data to guide exploration drilling decisions.