Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) shares rose 3.97% to $54.41 after the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) approved the Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) for its Groves Isotope Test Reactor. This approval, granted under the DOE’s Reactor Pilot Program (RPP), marks the transition of the Groves facility from the documentation phase into the final pre-startup review. The company is targeting first criticality for the reactor in July.

The DSA serves as the facility’s final safety basis, grounded on a detailed technical analysis of potential hazards, safety controls, and operating requirements required for safe startup. This approval follows the DOE’s earlier acceptance of the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA), which established the preliminary safety basis during the design and construction stages.

With both the PDSA and DSA approved, the remaining steps include a DOE readiness review and startup approval. Upon receiving startup authorization, the facility will be permitted to receive and load nuclear fuel, conduct startup testing, and proceed toward first criticality. This phase represents the point at which the reactor achieves a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.

Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo, highlighted the significance of the milestone, noting that Groves is the first advanced reactor project to receive DSA approval on privately owned land. The project utilizes wholly commercially sourced fuel, equipment, and systems delivered by the private sector, with civil construction and operations led entirely by a private-sector team under DOE oversight.

The Groves facility supports the development of Oklo’s isotope business and aims to establish a stronger domestic supply chain for critical isotopes. These isotopes are used in cancer diagnosis and treatment, advanced manufacturing, scientific research, space exploration, and national security applications. The pilot facility allows Oklo to develop operating procedures, evaluate reactor system performance, and validate production processes for commercial-scale domestic isotope production.

Oklo Inc. has acquired Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI), a chemical process engineering firm with extensive experience in sodium and alkali-metal systems, to strengthen capabilities for its Aurora sodium-cooled fast reactor program. The strategic move integrates CEI’s specialized capabilities in liquid-metal systems, component development, fabrication, manufacturing, and applied R&D into Oklo’s expanding team. This acquisition is expected to accelerate commercialization, improve design efficiency, and reduce execution risk associated with specialized equipment and testing. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Strategic Alignment and Technical Expertise

Founded in 1996, CEI brings decades of experience working with sodium, sodium-potassium alloy (NaK), and lithium systems. This includes legacy cleanup and decommissioning-related work connected to landmark nuclear sodium programs such as the Fast Flux Test Facility, Fermi 1, and the Experimental Breeder Reactor II. CEI and Oklo have worked together for multiple years on sodium-related equipment and capabilities, including sodium loop work, flow meters, pumps, and sodium safety training. By bringing a specialized technical partner in-house, Oklo aims to facilitate critical-path sodium-related work for its Aurora powerhouse deployment.

Financial and Operational Impact

CEI brings a highly specialized team of around 20 engineers, fabricators, and welders with deep experience in sodium and other alkali-metal systems to Oklo’s expanding technical and manufacturing organization. The acquisition adds a free cash flow positive business, as CEI has generated positive free cash flow for more than five years. This strengthens Oklo’s ability to internalize critical engineering, fabrication, testing, and R&D capabilities that support Aurora powerhouse commercialization. In addition to supporting Oklo's programs, CEI plans to maintain its longstanding commercial relationships across the nuclear sector by continuing to provide specialized sodium technology, manufacturing, and engineering services.