Helium One finds helium and hydrogen in Tanzania

The exceptional existing hole conditions of the ITW-1 well in Tanzania allowed Helium One Global to further re-enter another 168m into the fractured basement, reaching a total depth of 1129m MD, beneath the 9⅝" shoe

The re-drilling not only revealed a near-continuous helium and hydrogen presence all the way till total depth but also they were notably higher than those which were encountered whilst drilling the overburden section during Phase II. 

Core hydrogen demand will be defined by the refining and petrochemicals sectors, according to a report by GlobalData.

Testing phase

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.

Lorna Blaisse, chief executive officer, said, "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."

Helium One has discovered an estimated 98.9 bcf of helium, representing a major helium discovery in the global context of rapidly diminishing supply and growing demand for the resource.