HyTerra, an Australian natural hydrogen startup, announced a major breakthrough at the McCoy 1 well in its Nemaha project in Kansas, US. Mud gas samples revealed concentrations of up to 83% hydrogen and 5% helium, significantly higher than typical levels in the state. 

At approximately 1,696 meters, the well is the company's deepest exploration well to date and is located 9 kilometers outside the Sue Duroche 3 well, which discovered 96% hydrogen in April of this year. This demonstrates the expansion of the local hydrogen system into a wider area and its commercial potential.

The company currently controls 3,116 acres of land surrounding the McCoy 1 well and enjoys convenient infrastructure. The drilling series was funded by Australia's Fortescue Future Industries Technologies, which holds a 40% stake in HyTerra. 

HyTerra Executive Director, Benjamin Mee, stated that the consistent high hydrogen and helium concentrations are encouraging. HyTerra will subsequently design a production test program to assess steady-state flow rates and composition, laying the foundation for full-scale development.

Natural hydrogen has attracted considerable attention as an emerging energy source. While many scientific and development challenges remain, HyTerra's discovery further highlights Kansas' potential as a hot spot for the development of natural hydrogen and helium.