Helium One Global Ltd has started testing the electrical submersible pump in the Itumbula West-1 well at the southern Rukwa project in southwest Tanzania.
ACTIVATED
The project has progressed from exploration during 2023-2024 and an extended well test to the current appraisal and development phase.
“The ESP assembly is running in hole and will be positioned to allow further evaluation of the fractured Basement and Karoo intervals, through increased flow rates and enhanced helium production from these deeper geological zones, ” said Helium One.
“Once the ESP is set at the designated depth and the tubing hanger has been successfully tested, a final function test will be carried out before the well is opened and the pump activated.
“It is anticipated that this testing phase will take two to three weeks to complete.”
The company was granted a mining licence for the 480km2 project in July 2025.
Helium One’s second project is the Galactica-Pegasus helium joint venture in Colorado, USA.