Proactive Investors - Helium One Global Ltd (LON:HE1H) said it is now focused on wireline operations having made significant progress at its Tai-3 operation in Tanzania.
Successfully negotiating drilling hurdles, it has now completed the extraction of the drill string from the well, a crucial step in its exploration activities.
This operation involved isolating and repositioning components of the iron roughneck, a temporary solution that enabled the safe retrieval of the drill pipe and bottom hole assembly, including the heavy-weight drill pipe and drill collars.
Following the removal of the drill string, Helium One has transitioned to wireline operations, a process that does not depend on the rig's hydraulics or the iron roughneck.
During the initial logging phase, the logging tools encountered some challenges, such as washouts and ledges in the Lower Karoo formation, limiting their reach to 1,430 metres Measured Depth (MD), slightly short of the total depth of 1,448 metres MD.
The company is now preparing to start a downhole sampling programme, employing a Baker Hughes reservoir characterisation Instrument. This instrument is specifically designed to collect gas samples from targeted zones under reservoir conditions.
These samples will be assessed on-site using field pressure-volume-temperature analysis to determine the gas composition, which is key to Helium One's decision-making on future progress.
Currently, it is assessing the timelines needed for a comprehensive repair of the rig. However, the immediate focus remains on completing the wireline logging and acquiring downhole samples.
"The team at site have done an outstanding job working innovatively and proactively to ensure we were able to safely pull the drill string out of the hole," said chief executive Lorna Blaisse.
"This surpassed all expectations and we're delighted to now be in the position of having commenced wireline operations and planning downhole sampling to fully evaluate the Tai-3 well.
"Whilst the setback with the rig is incredibly frustrating, we have overcome a number of operational hurdles and remain focussed and confident that when the rig is back up and running, we will be in a stronger position for future wells."