Contracted by client to provide engineering expertise, management systems and source suitable drilling unit and crew for two well exploration campaigns onshore south west Tanzania. The project was located in the Western branch of the East Africa Rift System (EARS), which is associated with surface helium seeps that contain helium concentrations with no associated hydrocarbons or CO2, as such referred to as ‘green’ helium.
Objectives
- Engineering support for two well helium drilling exploration campaign
- Source suitable drilling unit and crew & develop bespoke management systems
Method
- Allocated experienced Zenith well engineering specialist with remote location and Africa expertise
- Developed rig spec requirements for the project
- Performed detailed market survey and analysis of available suitable drilling units
- Zenith recruitment division engaged to source optimum rig team to deliver drilling and testing operations
Challenges
- Remote location of project limited rig options
- Tight timescale to deliver rig team in country to perform operations
- Equipment availability for changes to operations program – extended TD and DST
Outcome
- Developed robust management system for drilling unit
- Zenith drilling advisor oversaw planning, rig intake and operational activities
- Engaged local workforce for rig site roles
- Well TD extended based on logging results, reaching TD ahead of schedule
- Performed DST across two zones before moving to extended well test, successfully flowed helium to surface from fractured basement
- Zero LTI, rig NPT 2.5%