Helium One Global Ltd’s completed Itumbula West-1 well flowed high concentration helium, measuring 4.7%, from Basement to the surface at Rukwa in Tanzania.
EVALUATION
The company yesterday said that a measured helium concentration of 4.7% equates to almost 9,000 times above background levels.
Hydrogen also flowed to surface during basement testing, at a concentration of 2.2%, over 37,000 times above background levels.
Helium One obtained downhole fluid samples from three separate well test intervals, in the Basement and across the fault zones.
On-site analysis in a pressure-volume-temperature laboratory indicated the presence of “elevated helium”.
Duplicate samples from all three well test intervals will be sent to a second laboratory for further analysis
The well is currently being cased and suspended while the company evaluates the well results and focuses on advancing the project.
The company’s owned Epiroc Predator 220 rig completed drilling Itumbula West-1 in 18 days to a total depth of 961m measured depth.
The rig’s non-productive time was reduced by more than 350% between the Tai-3 and Itumbula West-1 wells.
Zero lost time injuries were recorded across the two-well drilling programme.
Chief executive Lorna Blaisse added that flowing helium to surface in such high concentrations was a huge milestone for the company.
“We are delighted with the findings from Itumbula West-1 and the results from the down hole well testing have clearly confirmed the presence of a producing helium province in the Rukwa Rift Basin.
“The learnings from the Tai-3 well provided invaluable additional subsurface information and how the helium system works.
“By applying these findings, we adjusted our well location at Itumbula, and this has certainly yielded the results we were hoping for and justified that decision.”