Air Products could ‘deprive’ companies of privately-owned helium access, says Messer
September 25, 2024

Messer Americas has said that fellow industrial gas giant Air Products could deprive numerous third parties’ access to privately-owned helium stored at the Federal Helium System.


This comes as Messer Helium Cliffside LLC (MHC) has been granted a temporary restraining order to prevent the shutdown of the former Federal Helium System that it recently acquired from the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM).


Read more: Messer finalises purchase of Federal Helium Reserve


Prior to the temporary restraining order, the BLM’s lease of the crude helium enrichment unit (CHEU) from Cliffside Refiners Limited Partnership (CRLP) was set to expire on 11th August.


The CHEU is the central piece of machinery that extracts and processes helium from the Helium System.


Without an extension, Messer could have been forced to shut down the BLM system, removing a large amount of product from the market.


‘Unable to reach a commercial solution’


Messer and the Cliffside Refiners Limited Partnership (CRLP) must return to court later this month (23rdAugust), when it will be decided if a preliminary injunction will be granted to give Messer time to negotiate a new lease with the CRLP.


Two of the three CRLP partners support Messer’s continued access to the Crude Helium Enrichment Unit (CHEU) but MHC said in a statement it has not been able to reach a reasonable commercial solution with Air Products, the third partner.


“By impeding MHC’s ability to operate the CHEU, Air Products could deprive numerous third parties’ access to their privately-owned helium stored in the system,” it added.


Air Products has previously raised concerns about the impact of the Federal Helium Reserve, having filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas requesting to enjoin the US Department of the Interior, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the GSA from proceeding with the sale.


Read more: Air Products lawsuit seeks delay to Federal Helium System sale


At the time, private industry, which collectively has a large quantity of crude helium stored in the BLM and operates four helium-refining facilities that rely on the BLM system for delivery of feedgas, had been lobbying to postpone or cancel the asset sale.


However, even with Messer’s ownership of the system confirmed, there still seems to be friction between the partners, which could impact the wider market, says Messer.


The restraining order granted by the 108th District Court in Amarillo, Texas, on 7th August has temporarily averted disruption to the domestic helium supply chain. The court’s decision later this month will be crucial for future operations and negotiations.


MHC said it ‘welcomes the opportunity’ to explain to the Court at the upcoming hearing why its continued access to the CHEU is critical to protect the stability of the domestic helium market and the needs of helium users in several major industrial sectors.


Chris Ebeling, Executive Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at Messer Americas, noted the importance of helium for many critical industries that this could impact. “Without helium, MRI machines cannot run, semiconductor chips cannot be made, and space rockets cannot launch. Not to mention national defence, and economic security could be impacted, as the largest foreign suppliers of helium (Qatar and Russia) are subject to disruption by geopolitical events and trade restrictions.”


gasworld has reached out to Air Products for comment and is awaiting a response.


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VVC Exploration Corporation Provides Regulatory Update and Clarifies a Previous Incorrect Statement about CYRB

May 21, 2026
TORONTO, May 21, 2026 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources (“VVC” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: VVC and OTCQB: VVCVF) is providing an update to its previous news release dated May 16, 2026, regarding the status of its annual financial filings. The Ontario Securities Commission (the "OSC") has notified the Company that its application for a Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO") has been rejected. In delivering its decision, the OSC noted that they are not of the view that there is an active, liquid market for the issuer’s securities, based on a review of the trade volume, trade value, and number of trades over the last month. Consequently, the OSC intends to issue a Failure-to-File Cease Trade Order ("FFCTO") against the Company shortly after the regulatory deadline if the continuous disclosure documents are not submitted. The Company's audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, and related officer certifications for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026 (collectively, the "Required Filings") are due on June 1, 2026. Reason for Anticipated Delay The delay in completing VVC’s Required Filings is primarily attributable to the time required to complete the valuation and related accounting assessment of VVC’s equity investment in Cyber Apps Solutions Corp. (“CYRB”) and its operating subsidiary, Proton Green, LLC. The complexity of the valuation process and the resolution of related accounting matters delayed the commencement of VVC’s Required Filings. The Company also wishes to clarify that the references to executive management vacancies at CYRB included in the May 16, 2026 announcement were incorrect and have been retracted. Financing & Corporate Update In light of the operational adjustments required by the developments at CYRB, the Company also announces that it is actively pursuing capital-raising initiatives to protect working capital and fund ongoing operations, including its core helium and gold exploration assets. VVC is currently evaluating various financing options, which may include a proposed non-brokered private placement of securities. Any such financing remains subject to compliance with the strict terms of the proposed MCTO, which prohibits the issuance or acquisition of securities from any director, officer, or insider of VVC during the period of the default. Further details regarding the terms, pricing, and closing dates of any such financing will be announced if and when they are finalized. There can be no assurance that any financing will be completed on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all. Anticipated Completion and Impact of Order The Company and its independent third-party valuation specialist are working diligently to resolve the valuation framework with MNP LLP. VVC continues to target the completion and submission of the Required Filings on or before June 30, 2026. If an FFCTO is issued by the principal regulator, trading in the common shares of VVC will be suspended across all trading platforms in Canada, including the TSX Venture Exchange, until the Required Filings are completed and the order is formally revoked by the regulators. Insider Trading Restrictions The Company's internal insider trading blackout notice issued by the Corporate Secretary remains in full effect. All directors, officers, and insiders are strictly prohibited from trading in the Company's securities or exercising stock options until the default is fully remedied and the Required Filings are publicly available. About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Gold & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

VVC Grants Options

April 20, 2026
TORONTO, April 20, 2026 - VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources, (“VVC”), (TSX-V:VVC and OTCQC:VVCVF) announces the following: Option Grant The Directors granted incentive stock options under its stock option plan, to officers, directors and consultants of the Company, to purchase up to an aggregate of 14,750,000 common shares, representing 2.58% of the outstanding shares of the Company. The stock options are exercisable at a price of CA$0.05 per share expiring April 20, 2036. Twenty five percent (25%) of the options granted will vest immediately with the remaining vesting at 25% every six months. The exercise price was fixed at the minimum allowable price by the TSX Venture Exchange policies. The options, granted in accordance with the provisions of the Company's stock option plan, are subject to the TSX Venture Exchange policies and the applicable securities laws. Of the Options granted, 32.2% were to Directors, 37.3% to Officers, 18.6% to Employees and 11.9% to Consultants of the Company.  About VVC Resources VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources - specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset, high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Gold & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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