Helium One Global has issued a progress update on its Tanzanian operations announcing its commenced drilling operations at the Itumbula West-1 well late last week.
Helium One said it plans to conduct an extended well test on two intervals at the project: the fractured basement and faulted Karoo. This follows a successful drill stem test in February 2024 that yielded 4.7% helium flow to the surface.
Investors will be pleased that Geolog – the firm contracted to perform mudlogging and testing during drilling to monitor helium gas shows – has already noted back ground indications of helium and hydrogen. A portable mass spectrometer and field pressure-volume-temperature specialist are on site to measure and validate helium gas shows and downhole samples from the extended well test.
The company said it anticipates that this phase of operations, from spud to completion of the extended well test, will take approximately five weeks. The Itumbula West-1 well previously demonstrated success in February 2024, with a drill stem test flowing 4.7% helium and 2.2% hydrogen to the surface from the fractured Basement.