Risks and Rewards: HyTerra’s Bold Leap into Geologic Hydrogen Production

Strategic Leadership and Vision

HyTerra Limited, an Australian explorer in the nascent geologic hydrogen sector, has taken decisive steps to position itself as a global leader. The appointment of Riley Kemp as Chief Executive Officer in December 2025 marks a significant milestone. Kemp brings over 15 years of experience in global energy markets, including a pivotal role at Fortescue where he led a strategic investment into HyTerra. His leadership is expected to accelerate the company’s growth trajectory and commercialisation efforts.

In tandem with this leadership change, HyTerra launched an ambitious strategic plan targeting three core pillars, commercialising the Nemaha Project in Kansas, expanding its US portfolio using proprietary prospectivity criteria, and pursuing global partnerships to diversify growth opportunities. This roadmap reflects a disciplined approach to scaling geologic hydrogen production and tapping into emerging markets.

Promising Exploration and Technology Collaborations

The company’s flagship Nemaha Project continues to deliver encouraging results. Elevated hydrogen and helium gas shows were recorded in real-time at the McCoy 1 well during swabbing operations, reinforcing the potential for commercial extraction. These findings build on previous successes at nearby wells such as Sue Duroche 3, which confirmed flow potential from the Precambrian basement formations.

HyTerra is preparing for production testing in the second quarter of 2026, aiming to demonstrate scalable hydrogen and helium production. This phase will involve advanced site works, equipment procurement, and potentially testing new technologies in collaboration with partners.

Notably, HyTerra signed a binding joint collaboration agreement with GeoKiln Energy Innovation Inc., a leader in subsurface heat technology designed to engineer hydrogen production. GeoKiln will provide technology and operational support for field demonstrations, underscoring HyTerra’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge solutions to unlock geologic hydrogen resources.

Global Engagement and Market Positioning

HyTerra’s international presence was bolstered by participation in key industry events, including the 2025 HNAT Worldwide Summit and the Forbes Middle East Sustainability Leaders Summit. These engagements highlight the company’s efforts to build strategic partnerships and raise its profile within the global energy transition dialogue.

Further enhancing its market accessibility, HyTerra commenced trading on the US OTCQB Venture Market under the ticker HYTLF. This secondary listing complements its primary ASX listing and aims to attract North American investors amid a surge in geologic hydrogen activities in the US energy sector.

Financial and Operational Outlook

At the end of December 2025, HyTerra held A$2.44 million in cash, with exploration expenditure of A$1.48 million during the quarter focused on technical consulting, resource assessment, and seismic data acquisition. The company acknowledges the inherent risks and uncertainties in this frontier sector but remains confident in its strategic direction and operational capabilities.

Looking ahead, 2026 is set to be a pivotal year as HyTerra advances from exploration to production testing and commercial pipeline development. The company’s strengthened leadership, technology collaborations, and global engagement position it well to capitalise on the growing demand for low-carbon hydrogen solutions.