HyTerra Ltd (ASX: HYT) has the first phase of testing operations underway at the Hoarty NE3 hydrogen exploration well at Project Geneva hydrogen project in Nebraska.
The first ASX listed company with a focus on pioneering the exploration and production of natural hydrogen, HyTerra has an earn-in interest in a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Natural Hydrogen Energy LLC which includes the world’s first wildcat well targeting natural hydrogen in Nebraska, USA. Under the terms of the JDA, HyTerra has the option to acquire 51% of the assets and assume operatorship.
The first phase of operations, which is being managed by SOS Well Services, includes the arrival of completion rig #21 arriving at the Hoarty NE3 well site.
The rig crew are now preparing to run the production tubing and an electrical submersible pump. This process is expected to take until mid-March and once complete, the rig will demobilise.
The pump will then dewater the well to remove the hydrostatic pressure on subsurface gases. This is anticipated to allow hydrogen-enriched gases to flow freely from two prospective zones.
These zones are associated with elevated hydrogen concentrations detected during drilling and swabbing operations and were further defined by petrophysical analysis as having increased porosity and gas saturation.
The second phase of the operation is the extended flow testing which will record gas flow data over several months to establish the hydrogen production potential of the well and measure key parameters that include gas composition, pressure and flow rate.
Well data will be continuously measured on location and gas samples will be captured for independent laboratory analysis. These analyses will focus on the concentrations of hydrogen and other commercially significant non-hydrocarbon gases (e.g., Helium) that may coexist in the gas stream.
This is a pivotal moment for HyTerra to demonstrate the hydrogen production potential of the Hoarty NE3 well and gain first-hand operational experience in natural hydrogen resource development,” Executive Director and Chief Technical Officer, Avon McIntyre, said.