Canadian natural hydrogen explorer Max Power Mining Corporation will be mobilising a drill rig early next week at the Lawson natural hydrogen complex, in Saskatchewan.

The multi-well commercial validation drill programme is aimed at defining the world's first large-scale commercial discovery of natural hydrogen.

The initial well in this follow-up programme at Lawson is being drilled into the apex of the Lawson structure, about two kilometres away from the original discovery.

The drill rig, called Savanna Rig #416, is a highly efficient super single rig that was used this past spring at Max Power's Bracken target, which is a 325-km step-out from the Lawson discovery. Max Power encountered multiple prospective natural hydrogen and helium zones at Bracken which it will follow up in the near term.

The Savanna rig comes with an experienced crew and is outfitted with specialised gas detection equipment for natural hydrogen and helium.

Max Power CEO Ran Narayanasamy says the start of more drilling at Lawson is a historic moment for Saskatchewan and Canada. "Our geological team expects drilling of an initial well to reach the main targeted discovery area during the week of July 27," he confirms.

Lawson has progressed from discovery to independent laboratory confirmation and further to high-resolution seismic survey and modelling in the past year.

Max Power has been reviewing multiple potential commercial pathways for natural hydrogen with a 'months to molecules' plan.

"We are moving at great speed and now entering the phase that matters most. Large-scale commercialisation of natural hydrogen would be a major development at a time when energy security and affordability are key issues across North America and globally," Narayanasamy states.

Max Power chief geoscientist Steve Halabura adds that the seismic survey provided great confidence ahead of the commercial validation drill programme starting next week. "We have strong targets and impressive potential scale associated with this natural hydrogen system, given the 14.2 km² structural closure within the broader 28 km² complex.

Halabura concludes the entire team is eager to launch the drill programme and write another chapter in the history of the Saskatchewan resource sector.