Noble Helium nears Kinambo drilling campaign at North Rukwa - ICYMI

Noble Helium Ltd ( ASX:NHE, OTC:NBHEF, FRA:GN1) earlier this week outlined the final operational preparations for drilling at the Kinambo prospect within the North Rukwa Project in Tanzania, with the company targeting a late-August spud.

Chief Operating Officer Dermot O’Keeffe said almost every planned workstream had been completed ahead of the campaign. The contracted rig was expected to begin mobilisation shortly and move to the first well location around the middle of August.

O’Keeffe said the Kenyan-based contractor would deploy Bore Experts’ truck-mounted SR-130 XD rig. He explained that the unit offered the depth capability required to test the primary targets while retaining sufficient mobility to move between locations should Noble Helium exercise options for additional wells.

The company had also advanced road construction and upgrades, camp development and site infrastructure. A self-contained camp capable of supporting 56 people was nearing completion and would provide accommodation, catering, power, water and communications throughout the programme.

O’Keeffe noted that road access represented a significant part of the preparation because Kinambo was located in a remote area of the North Rukwa Basin. The upgraded routes were designed to accommodate the rig, heavy equipment and bulk deliveries of fuel and water.

A further potential scheduling risk had been reduced through the early procurement of long-lead items. O’Keeffe said casing, wellhead equipment, drilling fluids, cementing products, spare parts a...