Companies investing in Helium exploration and manufacture have benefitted from a supply-constrained market, new data shows.

Capital raises in the Helium sector in the first half of the year hit US$130m, already exceeding the full amount raised last year.

Market analysis company Akap Energy says in its Q2 Helium review: "(We have) seen stronger market conditions to raise capital on the back of the helium shock caused by the US-Iran war."

The US$130m of equity and US$1.7m of debt "already exceeds the US$97m of equity raised across full-year 2025".

No doubt the surge in interest has been sparked by the shortage and potential price growth.

"The clearest takeaway is how far the market has swung in a matter of months: from a comfortable/oversupplied position, it has tipped into an acute shortage and that dislocation is showing up in spot pricing," Akap says.

Most Helium volume still moves on long-term contracts, so the average pricing has barely moved. But Akap says: "We heard spot increases of roughly 50–150%, with one large end user describing prices in the US$850–1,000/mcf range against prior contracts ~US$600/mcf."

Akap again highlighted the wars in Iran and Ukraine cutting supply from Qatar and Russian plants and China barring exports as the major issues facing supply.

Gold Hydrogen is about to launch key flow testing of its Helium and Hydrogen resources on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Those results will help in deciding pilot plant options and investment considerations.

Preparation work continues at Ramsay 1 ahead of flow testing.

Meanwhile, Akap Energy also called out Gold Hydrogen’s leadership in natural hydrogen exploration.

It said the industry has grown from fewer than 10 companies to more than 100.

"Gold Hydrogen is ….. a standout performer, having discovered high concentrations of H2 in South Australia and a planned drilling campaign is in progress."

Download the full report here: https://www.akapenergy.com/helium-quarterly-report