Rickerscote Soil Gas Survey Detects Hydrogen up to 30 ppm and Methane Spike of 5,600 ppm

Survey Confirms Gas Presence at Rickerscote

Whitebark Energy Limited has announced the successful completion of a detailed soil gas survey over its Rickerscote Prospect, located in South Australia’s Officer Basin. The survey, conducted between late September and October 2025, deployed ten autonomous hydrogen sensors across the site, revealing elevated hydrogen levels alongside helium and a notable methane anomaly. These findings add a significant layer of confidence to the prospect’s resource potential.

The Rickerscote Prospect is one of Australia’s largest undrilled sub-salt structures, covering an area exceeding 180 square kilometres, with prospective volumes estimated at hundreds of millions of kilograms of hydrogen, substantial helium, and hydrocarbons. The survey’s detection of natural hydrogen concentrations reaching 25 to 30 parts per million at specific sensor locations suggests localized micro-seepage, a promising indicator of subsurface gas accumulations.

Methane and Helium Insights

While methane was largely undetected during the survey, a single transient spike of 5,600 ppm was recorded at one sensor, interpreted as a short-lived geological gas pulse from depth. This isolated event, though brief, supports the possibility of deep-sourced methane charge beneath the prospect. Helium sampling, conducted opportunistically at water bores near the site, revealed elevated levels up to 11 ppm at bore OMVB8, well above the local background of approximately 1.6 ppm, further reinforcing the prospect’s multi-gas potential.

Geological Sealing and Exploration Implications

Importantly, the survey found no hydrogen or methane flux along the main southern bounding fault, confirming its role as an effective seal that contains subsurface gases. This geological tightness is critical for the accumulation and preservation of hydrocarbons and natural gases, enhancing the prospect’s commercial viability. The results fulfill Whitebark’s Year 1 permit commitments and provide a strong foundation for advancing exploration activities.

CEO Nik Sykiotis highlighted the survey’s success as a key milestone, emphasizing its role in attracting farm-in partners and preparing for the planned drilling of Rickerscote-1 in 2026. The company’s strategic focus on combining conventional hydrocarbons with emerging natural hydrogen resources positions it at the forefront of Australia’s evolving energy landscape.

Looking Ahead

As Whitebark Energy moves toward drilling, the survey results will be closely watched by investors and industry observers eager to see if the promising near-surface gas signatures translate into commercially viable reservoirs. The integration of hydrogen and helium exploration alongside hydrocarbons could mark a significant step in diversifying Australia’s energy portfolio.