Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF) has commenced drilling at the Itumbula West-1 well in Tanzania targeting two major fault zones and the Karoo play.
The drilling process will also involve mudlogging by Geolog to monitor helium gas shows and a portable mass spectrometer for measuring and validating these shows.
At the same time, the company has mobilised downhole reservoir testing equipment from international sources to conduct comprehensive well testing. Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, continues to provide essential third-party services, including wireline, fluids, and cementing operations.
"We are delighted to have spudded the Itumbula West-1 well," said Helium One chief executive Lorna Blaisse.
"This prospect demonstrates the potential to yield some positive results and, having the ability to both drill and test a fault play, provides us with every opportunity of giving it the best chance of a successful outcome. We look forward to making further announcements in due course as we drill, log and test the well."
This development follows the earlier drilling of the Tai-3 well and the acquisition of crucial data, which will help in targeting and evaluating the fault system and conventional Karoo play.
Helium One said it plans to perform an open hole well test in both zones. It will also use Baker Hughes' reservoir characterisation instrument tool for downhole sampling under reservoir conditions, with onsite analysis and laboratory validation.
This drilling project, expected to last four to five weeks, also includes collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam, involving its Department of Geosciences in this flagship project for Tanzanian helium exploration.
Concurrently, Helium One has partially relinquished its Prospecting Licence 10704/2015 in the Balangida Rift Basin, following an internal review and subsequent ratification by the Tanzanian government.
Its footprint in the Basin now totals 134 square kilometres (km2), with a total area of 2,840km2 held across all their prospecting licences.