Tanzania-focused Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1, OTCQB:HLOGF) has begun drilling at the Itumbula West-1 (ITW-1) ahead of an extended well test (EWT) to test the fractured basement and faulted Karoo intervals.
This follows a successful flow of 4.7% helium to the surface during a drill stem test in February.
Contractor Geolog is conducting mudlogging and testing during drilling to monitor helium gas shows, with initial indications of helium and hydrogen observed while drilling out the 9⅝" shoe and re-entering the original wellbore.
A portable mass spectrometer and a field pressure-volume-temperature specialist are on-site to measure and validate helium gas shows and downhole samples from the EWT.
SLB (formerly Schlumberger) is providing fluid services, and surface well testing equipment is en route to the operating location. The Phase III operations, from spud to the completion of the EWT, are expected to take around five weeks.
CEO Lorna Blaisse said the plan is to evaluate the play fully. "The team have been working on the subsurface modelling ahead of the EWT and the results will be integrated into the feasibility study," she added.
"We look forward to making further announcements in due course as we deepen the well and commence the all-important testing phase of the fault-fracture helium play."