Fonts-Bouillants
Towards the first helium production pilot in france and Western Europe
Fonts-Bouillants project
The French Nièvre region has been known since antiquity for its carbo-gaseous springs, which were initially exploited as thermalism and later as mineral waters. Research and field measurements near the springs of Saint-Parize-Le-Châtel have revealed a strong potential for helium, naturally released to the surface with carbon dioxide through a major fault, well-known by geologists: the Saint-Parize fault.
45-8 ENERGY has filed an application for an exploration license for helium and carbon dioxide in an area of 251 km² in the south of the Nivernais region. The license was granted in June 2021 by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
The goal of this license is to study a possible joint valorization of these two gases, thus satisfy locally and in an eco-responsible way two markets, associated to a strong demand and subject to regular supply issues.
This license, called “Fonts-Bouillants”, has a validity of 5 years in order to progressively carry out the necessary works on the whole license.
Size of the exploration area
251km²
Size of the exploration area
Granted period
5 years
Granted period
2024
Objectives
Enrich our global geological knowledge of the area to better characterize the natural gas seeps.
Establish reliable gas flow rates and composition.
Demonstrate technical and economic viability of helium and carbon dioxide joint valorization.
Valued gases
Helium
The gas mix of the Fonts-Bouillants area reveals a strong potential in helium naturally released to the surface.
Carbon dioxide
The fault of Saint-Parize-le-Châtel is known for the natural emission of carbon dioxide on the surface.
45‑8 ENERGY aims to manage and valorize this CO₂ to avoid its direct release into the atmosphere and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The exploration area
The exploration license covers 251 km² of the Nièvre region, spread over 12 municipalities. Most of exploration works will be concentrated in the municipality of Saint-Parize-Le-Châtel but might also extend to the following municipalities:
- Azy-le-Vif
- Chantenay-Saint-Imbert
- Chevenon
- Dornes
- Luthenay-Uxeloup
- Magny-Cours
- Neuville-les-Decize
- Saint-Parize-en-Viry
- Saint-Pierre-le-Moûtier
- Sermoise-sur-Loire
- Toury-sur-Jour
Key steps of the project
Operations
Completed
September 2025
Well Test
The well test is carried out at the drilled well, in Saint-Parize-le-Châtel.
This step involves measuring the concentration of helium in the gas mixture and assess the size and economic viability of the accumulation.
Spring 2025
Medium-depth drilling
The drilling campain is carried out in Saint-Parize-le-Châtel.
This step highlights additional volumes of helium that could supply an industrial production unit.
Summer 2021
3D reflection seismic
The acquisition is located nearby Saint-Parize-Le-Châtel.
This acquisition provides a better understanding of the subsurface structures and validates the helium potential.
Helium production in France
The pilot helium production unit represents a decisive step: it confirms the technical and economic viability of larger-scale production. Located in the hamlet of “Les Fonts-Bouillants”, it was designed with a particular focus on environmental sustainability and integration into the surrounding landscape.
Today, this facility is already producing helium-rich gas, while plans for an industrial-scale operation are currently under study.
The official opening of the pilot production unit took place on September 11, 2024, marking an important step for European helium production.
A recognized and supported project
Greentech Innovation
This project led by 45-8 ENERGY aims to be eco-responsible and committed to the ecological transition. It received the Greentech Innovation label on September 2020 from the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
The captation and valorization of the naturally seeping carbon dioxide, contributing to the greenhouse effect, is today considered. The future production site is being brainstormed in such a way to reconcile industrial activity and respect for the environment through the rehabilitation of a historic industrial site and innovative joint valorizations.
'"France Relance" program laureate
The Fonts-Bouillants project is closely linked to our PROMET-Hé (MEmbranaire PROced for the Treatment of Helium) R&D development project which consists in developing an eco-responsible, local, compact process requiring a much lower energy consumption than the reference processes. This project, carried out in partnership with the Laboratoire de Réactions & Génie des Procédés (LRGP) and the CNRS, may ultimately allow French and European helium sector to emerge with a first application on the Fonts-Bouillants license.
Indeed, we plan to implement locally a mobile pilot unit dedicated to surface separation of helium and carbon dioxide. This has a dual objective: to validate technical and economic viability of the Fonts-Bouillants project and test the PROMET-Hé technologies before deployment on an industrial scale.
The PROMET-Hé project was aknowledge by the French Ministry in charge of Industry and Bpifrance which has retained the project as part of the call for projects "Recovery plan for industry - Strategic sectors" thus engaging to support our forecast investment up to up to 52% testifying to its contribution to national sovereignty.
Greentech Innovation
This project led by 45-8 ENERGY aims to be eco-responsible and committed to the ecological transition. It received the Greentech Innovation label on September 2020 from the Ministry of Ecological Transition.
The captation and valorization of the naturally seeping carbon dioxide, contributing to the greenhouse effect, is today considered. The future production site is being brainstormed in such a way to reconcile industrial activity and respect for the environment through the rehabilitation of a historic industrial site and innovative joint valorizations.
"France Relance" laureate
The Fonts-Bouillants project is closely linked to our PROMET-Hé (MEmbranaire PROced for the Treatment of Helium) R&D development project which consists in developing an eco-responsible, local, compact process requiring a much lower energy consumption than the reference processes. This project, carried out in partnership with the Laboratoire de Réactions & Génie des Procédés (LRGP) and the CNRS, may ultimately allow French and European helium sector to emerge with a first application on the Fonts-Bouillants license.
Indeed, we plan to implement locally a mobile pilot unit dedicated to surface separation of helium and carbon dioxide. This has a dual objective: to validate technical and economic viability of the Fonts-Bouillants project and test the PROMET-Hé technologies before deployment on an industrial scale.
The PROMET-Hé project was aknowledge by the French Ministry in charge of Industry and Bpifrance which has retained the project as part of the call for projects "Recovery plan for industry - Strategic sectors" thus engaging to support our forecast investment up to up to 52% testifying to its contribution to national sovereignty.
