Helium One Global, the primary helium explorer in Tanzania, has provided an update on Itumbula West-1 ('ITW-1') operations.
Highlights
- The Company has successfully re-entered and deepened the ITW-1 well a further 168m into the Basement and has reached a new total depth ("TD") of 1129m measured depth ("MD")
- Near-continuous helium and hydrogen shows measured whilst drilling and were notably higher than those encountered whilst drilling the overburden section during Phase II
- Commenced preparations for running 7" slotted casing and cementing operations
- Once casing is cemented in place, extended well test ("EWT") operations will commence across two intervals; fractured Basement and faulted Karoo Group
Details
The Company has successfully re-entered and deepened the ITW-1 well a further 168m into the fractured Basement and has reached a new TD of 1129m MD. The existing hole conditions were very good and enabled the wellbore re-entry beneath the 9?" shoe, and subsequent deepening into the Basement, to occur efficiently.
Whilst deepening the well, near-continuous helium and hydrogen shows were encountered whilst drilling. The frequency of these shows continued to TD and were notably higher than those which were encountered whilst drilling the overburden section during Phase II.
The next phase of the operations now involves preparing the wellbore for running the 7" slotted casing and cementing it in place. Once this is complete, the Company will then run a completion string in the hole comprising of tubing and packers to allow multiple testing of the two zones (the fractured Basement and the faulted Karoo Group) during the EWT.
The Company will provide further updates in due course.
Lorna Blaisse, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
'We are pleased that we have been able to re-enter and deepen the ITW-1 well as planned. It has been very encouraging seeing the helium and hydrogen shows continuing whilst drilling this deeper section, and we look forward to evaluating these results further through the EWT.
I'd like to extend my thanks to the wider team in a safe execution of this drilling phase, as well as the continued support from the Ministry of Minerals and Mining Commission in Tanzania.'
Source: Helium One
