Hydrogen concentrations up to 286,000 ppm confirmed at Lawson, establishing the discovery of a Natural Hydrogen system in MAX Power锟絪 first well on 475-km-long Genesis Trend in Saskatchewan
Free-flowing hydrogen to surface and reservoir drive at Lawson accelerate the project beyond conceptual stage to resource modelling and commercial evaluation, with a confirmatory well planned during H1 2026 following upcoming 3D seismic survey to delineate the projected high purity apex of the structure
As Lawson advances toward commercial evaluation, this Saskatchewan discovery marks a major milestone in the global development of an emerging clean energy source and underscores the scalability potential of Natural Hydrogen along an entire 475-km belt that stretches into Montana and the Dakotas
MAX Power Mining Corp. (锟組AX Power锟� or the 锟紺ompany锟�) is pleased to announce confirmation of Canada锟絪 first-ever subsurface Natural Hydrogen system following the successful completion and testing of the first well ever drilled in Canada (锟絃awson锟�) specifically targeting Natural Hydrogen near Central Butte, Saskatchewan, approximately 140 km south of Saskatoon.
Notably, immediate drilling success in the province featuring Canada锟絪 most advanced policy framework for Natural Hydrogen presents a series of potential short-term catalysts (refer to Next Steps 锟� H1 2026) that could accelerate the development of this emerging clean energy industry in Saskatchewan, already a global leader in uranium and potash and Canada锟絪 only producer of helium.
The Lawson discovery supports the Company锟絪 geological model for Natural Hydrogen accumulations and allows for potential repeatability and scalability across the 475-km-long Genesis Trend and elsewhere on MAX Power锟絪 1.3-million acre permitted land package where a multi-well drill program is set to resume with a fully funded second well along the Saskatchewan-Montana border.
The highly prospective Genesis Trend lies adjacent to the Regina锟組oose Jaw Industrial Corridor, where demand for hydrogen is strong. Its entire eastern boundary is nestled against the Prairie Evaporite, which hosts the world锟絪 largest potash reserves and, in the assessment of MAX Power锟絪 geological team, functions as a regional 锟絊alt Barrier锟� providing a trap and seal conducive to the accumulation of Natural Hydrogen.
Natural Hydrogen
Lawson Discovery Highlights
Hydrogen concentrations up to 286,000 ppm (28.6% H2)
Free gas flow to surface with robust initial rates and pressures following perforation
Evidence of a potentially large reservoir with strong drive mechanism
Fractured Precambrian 锟絜xotic terrane锟� rocks hosting favorable source rocks
Elevated helium values up to 8.7% detected in sealed core tube gas samples from zone above the basement complex, indicating potential for a stacked gas system
Discovery accelerates the development of MAXX LEMI, MAX Power锟絪 AI-assisted Large Earth Model for Natural Hydrogen, designed to become the global standard for Natural Hydrogen exploration
Next Steps 锟� H1 2026
MAX Power will now advance Lawson toward commercial evaluation through:
Resource modelling and estimation in accordance with applicable standards and regulatory guidance, which is expected to commence shortly given an already extensive dataset
A 47-sq. km 3D seismic survey over the Lawson discovery to define reservoir geometry and trap integrity, which will also aid in developing a contingent resource
A confirmatory well to evaluate commercial deliverability, with targeting optimized through the 3D seismic survey slated to be carried out in February
Stakeholder and customer engagement with Saskatchewan-based industrial and energy users, and national and global companies specializing in AI infrastructure
In parallel, data from Lawson will be integrated into MAXX LEMI, MAX Power锟絪 AI-assisted Large Earth Model for Natural Hydrogen exploration. MAXX LEMI is designed to optimize targeting and accelerate discovery of Natural Hydrogen deposits, not only in Saskatchewan but globally as a leading platform that MAX Power plans to monetize.
CEO and Technical Team Commentary
Mr. Ran Narayanasamy, MAX Power President and CEO, commented: 锟絋his is a defining moment for MAX Power, Saskatchewan and Canada. We have confirmed the existence of a Natural Hydrogen system in the subsurface from the first well ever drilled in this country specifically targeting this new primary energy source. Lawson is no longer a concept 锟� it锟絪 a discovered geological system with gas flow, pressure, and the key ingredients required for future commercial Natural Hydrogen development. This is an important milestone that positions Saskatchewan at the forefront of a rapidly emerging new clean energy industry.锟�
Mr. Narayanasamy continued: 锟紸chieving these results on an initial well in an area with no previously recorded Natural Hydrogen occurrences is statistically improbable in the absence of a well-developed and actively charged system, suggesting Lawson is part of a larger, functioning Natural Hydrogen accumulation rather than an isolated occurrence.锟�
Mr. Steve Halabura, P.Geo., Chief Geoscientist, added: 锟紽rom a geological perspective, Lawson has delivered exactly what we hoped to see - hydrogen-rich gas, reservoir characteristics, fracture networks, and evidence of a working system. The apex of the structure, which we will be targeting from upcoming 3D seismic, is where we would expect to encounter the high purity core of the system. The presence of elevated helium above the hydrogen zone supports the potential for the discovery of a vertically stacked gas system that would aid in economics. Combined with the extent of the Genesis Trend and the salt-sealed structural setting, this discovery opens the door to repeatable, scalable Natural Hydrogen exploration in Saskatchewan and beyond.锟�
Mr. Halabura continued: 锟紽rom an exploration and subsurface systems perspective, achieving these results for a new commodity on a 锟絋est of Concept锟� well should be considered highly unusual and speaks to the potential of the broader Genesis Trend. The geological processes responsible for hydrogen generation, migration, and trapping appear to be well established at Genesis.锟�
De-risking Canada锟絪 Largest Permitted Land Package For Natural Hydrogen
Initial success at Lawson de-risks multiple 锟絣ook-a-like锟� targets along the Genesis Trend and across MAX Power锟絪 entire Saskatchewan land package encompassing 1.3-million acres under permit and another 5.7 million acres under application. The Lawson well tested one of a minimum of six 锟絧lay concepts锟� developed for Natural Hydrogen by MAX Power锟絪 technical team with the second play concept slated for drilling in February.
Technical Confirmation
Independent analyses by three laboratories (AGAT, Corelab, and PTRC) confirmed hydrogen concentrations ranging from 16.80% (168,000 ppm) to 19.07% (190,700 ppm) from a through-casing flow test, while AGAT further assayed hydrogen concentrations of up to 28.60% (286,000 ppm) from gas samples recovered from sealed core tubes. From the zone immediately above the basement complex, core desorption by AGAT returned helium values up to 8.7% (87,327 ppm), averaging 4.4% (44,380 ppm) from nine samples.
Flow-test samples were obtained from an 8-metre-thick fractured interval from the uppermost portion of the basement complex, and the relatively clean gas composition (~90% hydrogen-nitrogen mix, with no hydrogen sulphide) clearly indicates a geological source for the hydrogen (high-purity Natural Hydrogen will be targeted at the apex of the structure, which is expected to be revealed through 3D seismic). After perforation, the well quickly achieved free gas flow to surface, delivering strong initial rates and pressures before being overtaken by a powerful influx of formation brine, demonstrating reservoir energy and connectivity.
Core Photo from Lawson Well
The consistency of results for flow-test samples across three independent laboratories provides MAX Power锟絪 technical team with high confidence in assay accuracy and establishes a solid foundation for resource modelling and development planning.
Analytical work is ongoing including rock mineralogy studies as well as measurements of porosity and permeability.
Why This Matters to Investors
The Lawson discovery marks the transition of Natural Hydrogen in Canada from theory to verified subsurface reality as the first confirmed Natural Hydrogen system through deep drilling on a district-scale land package in one of the world锟絪 most stable, infrastructure-rich resource jurisdictions. For MAX Power, this represents a pivotal inflection point building on the Company锟絪 North American and global leadership in this rapidly evolving and exciting new sector.
With hydrogen-rich gas, reservoir drive, regional sealing structures, and multiple de-risked follow-up targets now identified, MAX Power has moved into the discovery and early development phase of what could become a new clean energy industry. Combined with strong financial backing, international strategic partners, and continued design and development of the Company锟絪 AI-driven MAXX LEMI platform, MAX Power is positioned to advance toward repeatable discovery, scalable development, and long-term shareholder value creation.
MAX Power Enters Into Marketing Agreements
MAX Power has entered into agreements with three independent service providers to provide communications, digital marketing, and investor awareness support, subject to applicable securities laws and CSE policies and approval.
The Company has entered into a service agreement with Native Ads Inc. (锟絅ative Ads锟�) to provide investor awareness and promotional services. Under the agreement, Native Ads will conduct a digital media and content distribution campaign intended to increase awareness and understanding of the Company and its efforts. The agreement contemplates an estimated six-month campaign period, subject to budget exhaustion, with an aggregate campaign budget of $165,000 (USD), payable in accordance with applicable work orders.
The campaign is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026 and will include digital advertising across search engines, financial publications, and financial websites. The agreement contains no performance-based factors, and Native Ads will not receive any equity as compensation. Native Ads and the Company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities, and at the time of the agreement, neither Native Ads nor its principals hold any direct or indirect interest in the securities of the Company.