HyTerra Secures Exclusive Negotiation Rights Over 256 km² Natural Hydrogen Opportunity in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

HyTerra Ltd (ASX: HYT; OTCQB: HYTLF; Frankfurt: 8TP0) has expanded its international natural hydrogen exploration strategy into the United Arab Emirates, securing exclusive rights to negotiate a commercial agreement covering approximately 256 square kilometres in Ras Al Khaimah.

The Australian-listed company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Energy (RAK DoE), establishing a framework for evaluating potential natural hydrogen opportunities within Block 1 of the RAK South area.

The agreement gives HyTerra an exclusive pathway to assess the geological opportunity and negotiate future commercial terms. However, it does not grant an exploration licence, ownership of the acreage or a binding right to drill.

The arrangement represents HyTerra's second strategic relationship along the Semail Ophiolite, complementing its existing collaboration with ARA Natural Resources LLC in neighbouring Oman.

The Semail Ophiolite extends across Oman and the UAE and is considered an important geological setting for investigating natural hydrogen generation.

Its extensive ultramafic rock formations contain iron-bearing minerals capable of reacting with water through processes such as serpentinization.

During these reactions, oxidation of iron-bearing minerals can generate molecular hydrogen under suitable geological conditions.

The ophiolite exposes approximately 20,000 square kilometres of ancient oceanic crust and upper mantle rocks, with sections reaching approximately 15 kilometres in thickness.

These formations provide a geological basis for investigating whether natural hydrogen is being generated, migrating through subsurface structures or accumulating in suitable traps.

HyTerra intends to use the existing geological information as a starting point for a more detailed assessment.

The proposed Block 1 area covers approximately 256 square kilometres within RAK South, close to established industrial districts and existing gas infrastructure.

This location could offer advantages if future exploration identifies commercially viable hydrogen accumulations.

Nearby infrastructure and potential industrial customers may reduce some of the development challenges associated with transporting hydrogen from remote exploration locations.

Under the MOU, the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Energy is expected to provide a comprehensive subsurface dataset within 14 days.

The regulator will also provide a commercial term sheet intended to form the basis of future negotiations.

HyTerra plans to integrate the available information into its proprietary “Must Haves” exploration framework, which is designed to identify geological environments with the potential to support commercial natural hydrogen development.

The MOU has an 18-month term, with exclusivity beginning upon signing and continuing until the earlier of 180 days after completion of the technical work or expiration of the MOU.

Certain provisions are binding, including exclusivity, confidentiality, intellectual property, indemnities, termination and dispute resolution.

The proposed commercial agreement itself remains non-binding.

Full press release can be found here.