Haynes Boone advised Helix Exploration PLC on its conditional acquisition of the Keyes Helium Complex in Oklahoma, a transaction that positions the AIM-listed company to become the only independent United States helium producer with integrated liquefaction capabilities.
The acquisition includes a strategically located helium purification and liquefaction facility that will enable Helix to capture value across the helium supply chain, from production through liquid helium delivery, while expanding its ability to serve customers in high-demand sectors including aerospace, semiconductors, medical imaging and artificial intelligence applications.
This transaction marks significant strategic step for Helix, as the acquisition will provide immediate operational value and long-term growth potential. The facility's existing capacity for additional gas processing and helium refining gives the company flexibility to increase throughput and create additional value without building new infrastructure.
Haynes Boone also advised Helix on an associated equity fundraising to complete the acquisition and meet the costs of certain anticipated upgrades to the Keyes facility, as well as ongoing working capital purposes.
The cross-border Haynes Boone team advised on all aspects of the transaction and included London Partner Nick Heap and Associate Ravina Mahajan, working closely with Houston Partner Jeremy Kennedy, Counsel John Craven and Associate Grace Kaplow.
"This transaction reflects the increasingly sophisticated cross-border work our London and U.S. teams are handling together in the energy sector," Heap said. "We are pleased to continue supporting Helix as it executes its strategic growth plans and expands its position in the global helium market."
The acquisition follows several significant matters Haynes Boone has handled for Helix over the past year, including a fundraising round for helium deposits in Montana as well as other equity fundraisings, further demonstrating the firm's deep experience advising clients on complex international transactions.
Haynes Boone continues to build a leading international platform, bringing together lawyers from the firm’s offices in the United States, the United Kingdom and Mexico to advise clients on cross-border acquisitions, financings, capital markets transactions and project development. The firm has recently advised on matters involving assets across Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States and Venezuela while continuing to invest in strategic lateral hires to support clients with global business objectives.
Haynes Boone’s M&A Practice Group has comprehensive experience handling middle-market deals, having helped clients close more than 500 transactions in the last five years, with an aggregate value exceeding $50 billion. Haynes Boone’s market-leading Energy Practice Group consistently ranks among the most active legal advisors for U.S. deals in the energy industry. The group represents domestic and foreign public and private companies that conduct operations both internationally and across the United States.
