Gold Hydrogen Ltd Achieves Exceptional Results in Australia's First Natural Hydrogen and Helium Well-Test Operation
Key Ideas
- Gold Hydrogen Ltd completes Stage 1 well testing at Ramsay Project in South Australia, with world-leading purity levels of 95.8% natural hydrogen and 17.5% helium.
- First dedicated natural hydrogen and helium well-test operation in Australia, showcasing exceptional results and contributing to global data.
- Stage 2 testing planned to begin in early Q3 2024 for commercial production of natural hydrogen and helium, with significant implications for future well designs.
Gold Hydrogen Ltd's managing director Neil McDonald discussed the successful completion of Stage 1 well testing at Ramsay Project in South Australia. The project achieved remarkable results, with Ramsay 1 and Ramsay 2 wells exhibiting world-leading purity levels of 95.8% natural hydrogen and 17.5% helium. This marks a significant milestone as the first dedicated natural hydrogen and helium well-test operation in Australia and one of the few globally. The testing involved advanced techniques like open hole well tests and nitrogen injection to assess formation inflow and clear fluids. Notably, formation permeability was confirmed by fluid influx and natural hydrogen recovery at the surface. The subsequent Ramsay 2 test included detailed testing of seven zones, all confirming natural hydrogen presence at the surface, with the highest purity level recorded at 531 meters depth. Furthermore, helium extraction from a 180-meter thick zone in the Kulpara Dolomite yielded 17.5% purity, with successful confirmation of downhole pressure and natural gas flow to the surface. Stage 2 testing, set to commence in early Q3 2024, will focus on determining flow rates through the use of a downhole pump, aiming for commercial production of natural hydrogen and helium. These achievements are significant not only for their exceptional purity levels but also for informing future well designs and contributing to pilot plant development.