Helium One Global Ltd has identified helium enriched gas in drilling mud (gas show) in the Lake Bed Formation during exploration drilling of Tai-1 well at Rukwa in Tanzania.
The company said that helium shows were identified in shallow strata from 70.5 metres.
Micro-gas chromatograph showed helium concentrations up to 22,084ppm (2.2%) He in gas recovered from drilling mud.
Drilling operations will continue to the base of Lake Bed Formation, anticipated to be at 400 metres, before wireline logging can provide additional information.
Chief executive David Minchin said that although concentrations of 2.2% He were encouraging indicators of free gas, a helium show was not evidence of commerciality.
Further evaluation is required by wireline logging to confirm any potential pay zones
“It is also important to note that gas concentrations encountered in mud logging are qualitative rather than quantitative and in-situ grade may be higher or lower than what is measured.
“With over 1,000 metres still to drill at Tai-1, these are early days in our exploration drilling.
“Early helium shows give us a great deal of optimism for the remaining programme.”
TAI
Tai-1 is the first well in a three-well programme targeting shallow structures in close proximity to the Itumbula Helium Seeps.
The prospect has been chosen as Helium One’s first well because of the presence of stacked targets within a well-defined structural closure.
The wells will take approximately one month to complete and each one is planned to test a different trapping style to provide information essential in de-risking the company’s prospects across the basin.