34 JUNE 2024 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Australia’s First Natural Hydrogen and Helium Exploration Wells Adapted from Information by Gold Hydrogen Limited Back in the 1920s and 1930s, geologists from the South Australian State Department reported finding natural hydrogen gas while exploring for oil. More than a century later, Gold Hydrogen Limited is using this recorded data, along with modern exploration techniques, to get a better understanding of how to unlock this low-cost fuel source. Recently, the company provided an update on its Ramsay Project on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, for both natural hydrogen and helium. Exploration well testing on the Ramsay 1 and Ramsay 2 wells began with well testing experts SGS Australia providing the flowback testing package, including all pressure and flow sensors and gas sampling equipment. The samples will be sent to various local and international laboratories for full gas composition and noble gas isotope tests. This well testing program is the first dedicated natural hydrogen and helium well test operation conducted in Australia, and likely one of only a few in the world. The company considers this to be the start of an exciting journey, which isn’t different from what is done by world-renowned, and ultimately successful, gas and oil projects in the early days of the shale industry. For those particular resources, the exploration and completion techniques were developed and optimized over time, improving project economics and ultimately leading to major projects being developed. The company expects a similar path for its natural hydrogen and helium resources, although the time frame may be quicker as drilling and completion technologies developed for other gas resources may be used. The company is confident this undertaking will prove to be a significant resource of both natural hydrogen and helium, with large-scale potential. However, there is very little data available for dedicated hydrogen wells anywhere in the world due to the lack of analog wells. This means there is still some uncertainty about the potential outcome of the Ramsay 1 and Ramsay 2 exploration well testing program. According to Gold Hydrogen, the only natural hydrogen field currently in production is Mali, West Africa, where natural hydrogen production is used to power the small town of Bourakebougou. Reports indicate the natural hydrogen wells in Mali do not have any decline in production while continually regenerating and producing at the same rate. Since helium was also discovered in both the Ramsay 1 and Ramsay 2 wells, being able to extract and process both gases in small quantities may provide potential short-term commercial and / or proof of concept opportunities to help move the Ramsay Project forward. Data from the well testing will help the company better understand the characteristics of the reservoirs, including an understanding of potential wellbore skin damage from drilling. It will also provide insight into how the Ramsay Project area could be explored and appraised, including future well designs and testing designs, as well as provide input for future pilot plant designs. Experienced gas contractors Well Pro and MPK supplied the coil tubing unit, plus the nitrogen pumping and wireline operations for the work. EXB Tips for Staying Safe in the Heat Adapted from Information by Ring Power a Stay Hydrated a Dress Appropriately a Use Sun Protection a Schedule Work Strategically a Take Regular Breaks a Implement a Buddy System a Use Cooling Accessories a Increase Ventilation a Train and Educate Workers
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