Max Power confirms natural hydrogen potential

Bracken, on an adjacent trend to Genesis and a key part of MAX Power’s Grasslands Project, represents the first step-out test from Lawson. Drilling data from Bracken collected and analyzed to date suggest that the geological conditions observed at this target are like those at Lawson, thus providing initial evidence of the existence of a much broader regional Natural Hydrogen system.

The 750 sq. km permitted Grasslands Project had never previously been drilled for Natural Hydrogen or helium and is now viewed as a region with significant discovery potential.

Key Highlights

• Independent Validation: GLJ, a globally recognised independent energy resource evaluation firm, has identified multiple high priority Natural Hydrogen and helium target intervals across several geological formations at Bracken, independently validating MAX Power’s technical interpretation and recommended testing program.
• Basin-Scale Potential: Located approximately 325 km from the Lawson Discovery, Bracken provides a critical step-out test supporting the Company’s basin-scale geological model and the potential for Natural Hydrogen systems to exist across large parts of Saskatchewan.
• Strong Geological Correlation: Basal Cambrian and Precambrian basement core recovered at Bracken, drilled in March 2026, exhibits similarities to core from the Lawson Discovery, further strengthening the Company’s evolving understanding of regional Natural Hydrogen prospectivity.
• Dual Advancement Strategy: A comprehensive completions and testing program at Bracken is expected to commence during the second half of July, shortly after the start of commercial validation drilling at Lawson as MAX Power advances two complementary programs designed to evaluate multiple stacked Natural Hydrogen and helium targets.

Continental Opportunity: Located just 20 km north of the Montana border, positive Bracken drill results strengthen the Company’s interpretation that the trend for both Natural Hydrogen and helium extends into the United States, highlighting the potential for a cross-border clean energy corridor. Mr. Steve Halabura, MAX Power Chief Geoscientist, commented: “The scale of what’s possible here, from the Genesis Trend to Bracken and elsewhere, is truly remarkable as demonstrated by the first two wells drilled 325 km apart. We’ve learned much about Bracken, thanks in part to the unique and proprietary knowledge gained from Lawson in recent weeks and months, especially with completion and interpretation of the recent 3D seismic program. It’s shaping up to be an extraordinary summer in Saskatchewan with MAX Power in a favorable position to make resource history yet again with respect to Natural Hydrogen.”

Ran Narayanasamy, MAX Power CEO, commented: “Independent validation by GLJ reinforces our confidence in the potential at Bracken and further strengthens the broader geological model emerging across Saskatchewan. With commercial validation drilling commencing at Lawson and comprehensive completions testing beginning at Bracken, both in July, we are advancing two highly complementary programs designed to define the scale, continuity, and commercial potential of what points to a globally leading Natural Hydrogen basin.”

Strategic Significance — Stacked Pay and Saskatchewan's Natural Hydrogen Frontier

The identification of gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer anomalies for both Natural Hydrogen and helium across multiple distinct geological intervals at a single wellbore is a significant result that speaks to the multi-pay potential of MAX Power's Bracken target and the broader Grasslands Project. The results demonstrate the potential for multiple stacked reservoir targets at Bracken while further strengthening MAX Power’s broader basin-scale exploration model.

A successful test result at any one of these multiple zones would represent a material de-risking event for the Company's exploration program in this part of the province; positive results across multiple zones would be transformative and would provide a strong technical foundation for the delineation of commercial Natural Hydrogen and helium resources at Bracken, while opening the door for potential additional discoveries across southern Saskatchewan.

The Bracken 16-29-2-16W3M well is located within MAX Power's core southwestern Saskatchewan exploration tenure, a region the Company has identified as highly prospective for both Natural Hydrogen and helium based on its geological setting – Precambrian-age igneous-sourced gases migrating upward through deep sedimentary pathways into structural and stratigraphic traps at multiple levels across the Cambrian sandstone and up to the Devonian carbonate sections.

A Systematic, Data-Driven Approach to Natural Hydrogen and Helium Testing

The Bracken 16-29-2-16W3M well was drilled as part of MAX Power's active exploration program targeting Canada’s first-ever Natural Hydrogen deposits in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB). During drilling operations, the Company's technical team recorded notable gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer anomalies across multiple intervals, including specific detections of both Hydrogen (H2) and helium (He) - results that confirmed the presence of the target gases within the Bracken subsurface and warranted an extensive follow-up testing program.

Upon the completion of drilling at Bracken, to a depth of 2,600 metres, MAX Power engaged GLJ, one of Canada's leading independent petroleum and natural gas resource evaluation firms, to conduct an in-depth petrophysical analysis of both the wireline log suite and gas detection data acquired at Bracken. GLJ's analysis evaluated reservoir properties, including porosity, permeability indicators, fluid saturations, and net pay, across the full logged section, and provided independent verification of the zone selection and testing program recommended by MAX Power's internal technical team. GLJ's involvement ensures that the testing program reflects best-in-class subsurface evaluation practices and provides an independent, third-party foundation for the Company's exploration decisions.

Multiple Target Zones Identified from Devonian Through Precambrian

Based on the combined analysis of MAX Power's technical team and GLJ's independent petrophysical review, multiple formations have been selected as priority testing targets at the Bracken 16-29-2-16WM3 well. The testing program is designed to evaluate each of the zones sequentially using industry-standard completion and testing methodologies, with gas sampling conducted at each interval to determine gas composition, Natural Hydrogen and helium concentrations, isotope analysis, and flow potential.

Precambrian Basement

Natural Hydrogen generation from Precambrian basement rocks via serpentinisation and radiolytic processes is a globally recognized mechanism and is increasingly understood as a primary Hydrogen source in the Saskatchewan basin. MAX Power's Bracken well encountered favourable basement rock at depth, and gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer anomalies recorded in association with the basement contact include Hydrogen signatures well above background levels. GLJ's analysis evaluated the basement contact zone and supported its inclusion in the testing program as a high-impact, potentially transformative discovery.

Deadwood Formation/Basal Cambrian Sands

The Basal Cambrian Deadwood sandstone is one of the most significant helium reservoir units in the WCSB and has been the prolific reservoir and source interval for several of the region's most notable helium discoveries. At Bracken, GLJ's petrophysical work confirmed the presence of porous, potentially permeable sandstone in the Deadwood interval, with chromatographic data recorded during drilling indicating the presence of both Natural Hydrogen and helium and anomalies. This interval is considered a key test target and is analogous to producing Deadwood helium zones in the nearby vicinity of the Bracken area and greater southwestern Saskatchewan helium fairway.

Interlake (Ordovician Carbonates)

The Interlake Dolomitic horizon, a regionally significant carbonate formation and host to helium shows across southwestern and south-central Saskatchewan, has been identified as a secondary but high-priority test zone at Bracken. GLJ's analysis confirmed favourable reservoir characteristics in this interval, and gas chromatograph data recorded during drilling supports the presence of Natural Hydrogen and helium shows within this formation.

Duperow/Souris River Formation (Upper Devonian Carbonates)

The Upper Devonian carbonate section at Bracken exhibits reservoir characteristics consistent with helium-bearing zones identified elsewhere in the southwestern Saskatchewan fairway. Porosity development and log characteristics identified by GLJ's petrophysical analysis support this interval as a primary test candidate. The interval is also rich in impermeable and nonporous anhydrite beds which are required to seal the upward migration of Natural Hydrogen and helium gases. The Devonian carbonate sequence is a proven helium-bearing reservoir in the region and represents a key geological target for the Company.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/02072026/max-power-confirms-natural-hydrogen-potential/