- Drilling plan modified to fast track data collection and simplify operations
- Drilling plan revised from two firm shallow wells to one firm deep well and one contingent well
- Subsurface analysis supports deep well to target all key formations
- Kinambo-1 to be drilled to 1,850m, intersecting all primary targets on the western margin
Noble Helium (ASX: NHE) is fast-tracking the depth testing in its 2026 helium exploration drilling campaign at Kinambo on the western margin of the company’s 100% owned North Rukwa project in Tanzania.
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Over the past three months, Noble Helium’s exploration and operations teams have worked to optimise the Kinambo drilling plan to minimise and mitigate drilling execution risk by:
1. Maximising data collection (essential for reserves certification and offtake discussions
2. Simplifying operations (focus on a primary well with clearly defined targets
3. Reducing campaign duration (minimise possible weather interruptions and fast track results).
The key outcomes from the exercise are a reduction in the number of wells to be drilled, from two firm shallow wells to one firm deep well and one contingent well. A deep well will collect more data than the previous multi-well programs, reduce overall complexity, eliminate rig relocations, reduce exposure to the weather, and allow results to be fast-tracked.
Kinambo-1 will now extend down to 1,850m and intersect all primary target formations on the western margin. It will also intersect deeper secondary target formations that extend across the basin to the eastern margin. This approach will enable wireline logging and downhole sampling contractor, SLB, to gather a complete data set from one well quickly and efficiently, with onsite analysis of key data. This, in turn, will allow Noble Helium to analyse and evaluate results faster before proceeding to independent reserves and resources certification. A second well will only be drilled if required (subject to a review of results from Kinambo-1).
Next Steps Kinambo-1 is expected to spud in November. Drilling operations will be followed by a logging and sampling program. The well may be completed for future production testing.
“The amount of work our exploration, operations and management team have put into this drilling campaign to deliver the best outcome for Noble Helium shareholders is considerable,” Dennis Donald, EC, said:
“Our understanding of the sub-surface structures has been constantly evolving and the logistical challenges of operating in the Rukwa Basin have not diminished.
“The decision to focus on drilling one firm, deeper well will allow Noble Helium to gather more data faster and more efficiently than the original program, simplify operations, reduce risk, minimise time on site and reduce potential weather interruptions at the start of the rainy season.
“By fast-tracking the collection and analysis of a more competent dataset, we will be able to progress discussions with potential offtakers and facilitate the certification of reserves and resources for the western margin of the North Rukwa Helium Project and build-out our geological model for the eastern margin as well.
“I would like to thank our shareholders for their patience and acknowledge their ongoing support as we finalise preparations for drilling Kinambo-1”
NHE was up 3.45% to 3.0¢. Mkt cap $36.16M.
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