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Highlights
- 32% uplift in gas flow post well clean-out
- Supports reserve certification and production plans
- Focused development in South Africa's helium-rich ER315 zone
Helium and natural gas explorer D3 Energy (ASX:D3E) has reported a notable 32% increase in gas flow at its RBD03 well, part of the ER315 project located in South Africa’s Free State province. This improvement follows successful well clean-out operations, reinforcing the value of existing infrastructure and the reservoir’s long-term productivity potential.
The RBD03 well, originally drilled in 1982 and later repurposed to target helium and methane, has proven its viability once again. Following the removal of residual drilling materials and integrity enhancements, the well achieved an average gas flow rate of 194 thousand standard cubic feet per day (Mscfd) over a 14-day period. The total gas delivered during this time amounted to 2,700 Mscf, marking a significant improvement over previous tests.
Positioned within the Bloemskraal area, RBD03 is a vertical well with nine deflections drilled into the Witwatersrand Quartzite formation. The productive zone is a 3-metre fractured quartzite unit located approximately 445 metres below the surface. No choke was used during testing, which targeted depths between 400 and 592 metres.
These enhanced results not only support D3 Energy’s geological model but also feed directly into the company’s broader development plans. The data gathered from RBD03 and other boreholes underpins the ongoing maiden reserve certification process and the upcoming Production Right application—both of which the company expects to complete ahead of schedule and under budget.
To complete its reserve certification, D3 Energy is working with the international consulting firm Sproule ERCE. The certification will initially cover a limited section of the ER315 permit area, though further development across mapped fault zones is anticipated.
With progress accelerating, D3 Energy continues to advance ER315 as a leading helium and natural gas opportunity. While the company is not currently classified as an ASX 200 stock, the operational momentum and infrastructure leverage highlight the asset’s scalability and potential contribution to the helium market.
The combination of strong flow rates, structural integrity, and early-stage development indicators positions the ER315 project as a compelling addition to South Africa's emerging role in global helium and natural gas supply chains.
