IMPERIAL HELIUM CORP. CONFIRMS A NEW PROSPECTIVE ZONE IN THE STEVEVILLE STRUCTURE AND COMMENCES THE FIRST OF TWO PRODUCTION TESTS
February 03 2022 - 7:00AM
Imperial Helium Corp. (TSXV: IHC; OTCQB: IMPHF) (“IHC” or the
“Company”), a growth-oriented company focused on advancing
commercialization of our Steveville, Alberta helium discovery asset
(the “Steveville Asset”), which is collectively comprised of the
Steveville Structure and Steveville East areas in Southeastern
Alberta, is pleased to announce that we have confirmed the presence
of helium in an additional zone on the Steveville Structure.
Following the drilling, logging and casing of
our third well, IHC-Steveville-3 (12-12-020-12W4), we have
commenced the first of two planned 30-day production tests on the
well which will be run consecutively to test two separate zones in
the Beaverhill Lake formation (“BHL”). The two zones being tested
are the new lower Sub-Salt Zone (“SSZ”), and the Blow-Out-Zone
(“BOZ”), which was previously production tested as our first
potential producing horizon in IHC-Steveville-2
(103/10-22-020-12W4). Consistent with IHC-Steveville-2, IHC will
engage an independent third-party to analyze the production test
results from both the SSZ and BOZ in IHC-Steveville-3, which will
be communicated as available.
SSZ First Production
Test - Preliminary Indications
Upon commencing the first production test of the
new SSZ, an immediate strong flow of gas to the surface was
observed.
- The gas has a
helium concentration of 0.51% based on initial gas analysis -
approximately 19% higher than the concentration encountered from
the BOZ in IHC-Steveville-2.
- Petrophysical
results from IHC-Steveville-3 indicates a pay thickness of
approximately 5.2 metres for the SSZ.
- SSZ has similar
reservoir properties and characteristics to those found in the pay
zone of the BOZ in IHC-Steveville-2.
- Gas analysis of
the SSZ shows no presence of CO2, which is positive from an
environmental impact perspective.
- Production
testing of the SSZ will record pressures over a ten-day flow period
followed by approximately 20 days of the well being shut-in.
BOZ Testing to Follow
SSZ Test
Upon completion of the 30-day test of the SSZ
zone, Imperial will commence a 30-day test of the BOZ zone which
will include a gas composition test to confirm helium
concentrations within the BOZ in IHC-Steveville-3.
- As with
production testing of the SSZ, tests of the BOZ will record
pressures over a ten-day flow period followed by approximately 20
days of the well being shut-in.
- Because of the
high reservoir quality of the BOZ, IHC will locate pressure
recorders within IHC-Steveville-2 to determine if the BOZ in
IHC-Steveville-2 and IHC-Steveville-3 are in pressure communication
over a distance of 4.2kms.
- As previously
reported, the BOZ tested in IHC-Steveville-2 is estimated to be
capable of an absolute open flow (“AOF”) rate of 22 mmcf/d, or
sustained production of 5-8 mmcf/d for a period of three years
before a gentle decline of approximately 15% per year commences and
extends for an overall well life of 15 to 20 years based on current
resource estimates.
Resource Estimate
Contingent Resource estimates by an independent
assessor are expected to be underpinned by successful production
tests from both the BOZ and SSZ following completion of the
production testing. Based on a petrophysical comparison of
IHC-Steveville-3 and IHC-Steveville-2, we anticipate production
test results from the BOZ in IHC-Steveville-3 will be consistent
with those realized at IHC-Steveville-2. Such resource estimates
can be reclassified to booked Reserves once an offtake agreement
for the sale of helium has been secured. Negotiations for such an
offtake agreement are ongoing and we anticipate finalizing terms in
the first half of 2022.
Prototype Plant
IHC has partnered with ON2 Solutions for the
fabrication of a prototype helium separation plant (the “Prototype
Plant”), designed to demonstrate IHC’s ability to produce 99.999%
pure (Grade A) helium from our assets and expedite the production
and monetization of our projects. Due to supply chain constraints
and a tight labour market caused by COVID-19, ON2 Solutions has
realized some timing delays on the completion and testing of the
Prototype Plant. As ON2 Solutions resolves these issues, the
required testing will commence. When combined with a pending
offtake agreement, this is a critical milestone on IHC’s path to
producing commercial volumes of helium before the end of 2022.
About Imperial Helium
Corp.
Imperial Helium Corp. is focused on the
exploration and development of helium assets in North America,
initially through the anticipated commercialization of its
Steveville, Alberta helium discovery. With increasing helium supply
shortfalls around the world, the Company is committed to becoming a
supplier of helium to help meet the needs of the many critical
industries which rely on this irreplaceable resource, including
healthcare, electronics and semiconductors as well as aerospace and
leak detection. Driven by Canadian geoscience and engineering
expertise and supported by strategic alliances with key players in
the helium and capital markets ecosystem, IHC intends to leverage
its proprietary well database to support longer-term growth. IHC is
based in Calgary, Alberta, and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange
under the symbol “IHC”. To learn more about the Company and expand
on the subject of helium, please visit www.imperialhelium.ca.
For further information, please
contact:
David Johnson |
Barry Lappin |
Chief Executive Officer |
Chief Financial Officer |
(403) 978-9878 |
(587) 585-5447 |
djohnson@imperialhelium.ca |
blappin@imperialhelium.ca |
Forward-Looking and Cautionary
Statements
Certain information included in this press
release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable
securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically
contains statements with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”,
“expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”,
“will” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements
regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information in this press
release may include, but is not limited to, statements concerning:
drilling activities; discovery activities including re-discovering
and capturing the Steveville blow-out; and the business plan of the
Company, generally, including helium development and extraction.
The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Imperial
Helium. Although Imperial believes that the expectations and
assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the
forward-looking statements because Imperial can give no assurance
that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking
statements address future events and conditions, by their very
nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual
results could differ materially from those currently anticipated
due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not
limited to, risks associated with the helium industry in general
(e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and
production; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty
of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and
expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), constraint
in the availability of services, commodity price and exchange rate
fluctuations, the current COVID-19 pandemic, changes in legislation
impacting the helium industry, adverse weather or break-up
conditions and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or
changes in plans with respect to exploration or development
projects or capital expenditures.
The forward-looking information contained in
this press release is made as of the date hereof and Imperial
undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any
forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, unless required by
applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information
contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this
cautionary statement.
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PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM.
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