Final Investment Decision (FID) on Big Sky Phase 1
Reached FID on the Phase 1 processing facility at the Big Sky Carbon Hub; transitioned the project from development to construction with long-lead equipment on order and capital flowing into the project. Commercial operations targeted for Q1 2027.
Fixed-scope EPC Contract Executed
Signed a fixed-scope engineering, procurement and construction agreement with CANUSA EPC, reducing execution risk via a credible counterparty and a modular plant design that limits on-site complexity.
Helium Offtake — 5-Year 100% Take-or-Pay
Executed a 5-year, 100% take-or-pay helium sales agreement with an investment-grade global industrial gas counterparty covering Phase 1 volumes (up to ~1.2 MMcf/month or ~14.4 MMcf/year) at a fixed plant-gate price of $285/Mcf with CPI-linked escalation beginning March 1, 2028 and a year-3 pricing redetermination; contract eliminates volume and demand risk for initial helium revenue.
Phase 1 Production Targets
Plant designed for approximately 8 MMcf/day inlet capacity, targeting roughly 14 MMcf of high-purity helium per year and ~125,000 metric tons of refined CO2 per year at initial operations.
Capital Structure & Funding — Phase 1 Cap Stack Complete
Completed Phase 1 capital stack via a March equity offering and credit facility amendment: borrowing base doubled to $20 million (a 100% increase from prior level), interest margin fixed at 200 bps over alternative base rate, suspension of quarterly covenant testing through March 31, 2027, and an expanded facility maturity to May 31, 2029; management states they have capital needed to deliver Phase 1 into commercial operations.
Section 45Q Tax Credit Backstop — $130M of Value
MRV submissions for MRV approval are in active EPA review; management expects approvals in summer 2026 that would enable access to Section 45Q tax credits. Management estimates ~ $130 million of 45Q credit value over the first 12 years of Phase 1 at the $85/ton statutory rate, representing a policy-backed revenue stream.
Operational Progress in the Field
Drilling and completions completed in August 2025 with 3 drilled wells plus 2 acquired; two Class II permitted injection wells operational; gathering infrastructure installation scheduled for summer with facility commissioning targeted for Q3 2026 and first gas in Q1 2027.
Strategic Positioning & Growth Optionality (Phase 2)
Management highlights acreage and permits that support 2–3x Phase 1 capacity without new land or approvals and argues incremental per-unit CapEx for Phase 2 will be meaningfully lower; also discussing monetization options for 45Q credits (transferability/structured sale) and project finance sources for scaling.
Commercial and Market Tailwinds
Management cites structurally constrained global helium supply, geopolitical disruptions tightening supply, and inelastic demand from semiconductor, MRI, fiber optics and AI data-center growth. Carbon management market forecast cited as growing >145x from 2023 to 2050; company positions Big Sky as an advantaged CO2 source (byproduct of helium extraction) with lower capture intensity.