Our projects

Explore. Develop. Enhance.

At 45-8 ENERGY, we develop helium and natural hydrogen exploration and production projects in France and Europe. Each project is based on a responsible and innovative approach that involves consultation with local communities.

Our ambition: help to secure Europe’s supply of strategic resources while addressing the challenges of the energy transition.

A strong European presence

Our projects are located in different regions of France and in various European countries. Below is an overview of our current projects:

Some of our projects

Brimir project

A helium exploration and production project in northeastern Germany.

Fonts-Bouillants project

First license obtained in 2021, which led to the first pilot production unit of helium in France and Western Europe in 2024.

Grand Rieu project

A promising project for exploring natural hydrogen in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Avant-Monts project

A helium exploration project located in the Doubs region, where significant helium potential is being considered.

Development in the United States

While Europe sets ambitious targets, we focus on deciphering the unique geological systems of natural hydrogen — a resource only recently identified (since the 1970s) and still immature. By partnering with experts like H2Au and expanding our research to global contexts, we aim to accelerate exploration. Our next step? Launching our first overseas project in the United States.

Our US projects

Humboldt project
Fayette project
The Humboldt Project is a natural hydrogen and helium exploration project located in Kansas (United States), operated by H2Au and partnered with 45-8 ENERGY. 45-8 ENERGY's involvement in this ambitious project outside Europe allows us to contribute to furthering of our knowledge of the geological hydrogen system while confirming its production potential in the area, in conjunction with the associated helium. Nearly 40 km² (~10,000 acres) have already been secured through leases, for an initial period of five years in order to gradually acquire the data necessary to validate our exploratory hypotheses.
The Fayette project is a natural hydrogen and helium exploration project located in Iowa (United States), operated by H2Au and partnered with 45-8 ENERGY. 45-8 ENERGY's involvement in this ambitious project outside Europe allows us to contribute to furthering of our knowledge of the hydrogen geological system while confirming its production potential in the area. 11 km² (2,727 acres) have already been secured through leases, for an initial period of five years, in order to gradually acquire the data necessary to validate our exploratory hypotheses.

The development of innovative solutions

R&D at the heart of our ambitions

45-8 ENERGY has always relied on solid R&D, in partnership with industry and academia, to overcome the technological barriers to the helium and natural hydrogen sectors.

Some of these R&D projects have enabled us to advance our explorations directly in the field. Others have enabled us to develop innovative and effective tools/services that support our explorations and complement our activities.

RECYCL’He is Europe’s leading helium recovery and recycling service.

Whether mobile or fixed, our solutions are adapted to customer needs, with a view to securing European supply, preserving resources, and initiating a circular economy for this strategic resource.

SurfMoG H₂ is the ideal tool for conducting long-term monitoring of natural hydrogen in the subsurface.

An IoT tool, this one-meter probe is versatile and can be easily installed in areas where gas measurements need to be taken. Completely autonomous for several months, SurfMoG H2 is available for rent.