D3 Energy Drills First Well to Expand Helium Reserve Base 40km North in ER315
D3 Energy commences Nooitgedacht drilling as it targets ER315 reserve expansion in South Africa
D3 Energy (ASX: D3E) has successfully spudded NGT245 E, the first of two planned wells at the Nooitgedacht area within its 100%-owned ER315 permit in the Free State, onshore South Africa. The well is designed to assess Witwatersrand formation reservoir deliverability and collect additional helium and methane concentration data. Nooitgedacht is positioned approximately 43 km north of the Bloemskraal area, where D3 Energy has already booked reserves, with the programme aimed at growing the ER315 reserve base and supporting conversion of exploration rights into production rights.
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What the drilling programme is targeting
The two-well programme — NGT245 E and NGT245 D — targets faulting and associated fractures in the Witwatersrand formation, positioned along the Homestead Fault that traverses the northern section of ER315. The same contractor that completed D3 Energy’s initial drilling programme is undertaking the wells.
A nearby historical borehole, Nooitgedacht Major, was production tested in January 2025 and flowed at an average 95 Mscfd, with helium concentrations at 5.6% and methane at 83.2%. The new wells are positioned to exploit similar geological structures in the area.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Well name | NGT245 E |
| Permit | ER315 (100%-owned) |
| Budgeted cost | ~A$200,000 to drill and complete |
| Target formation | Witwatersrand |
| Nearby analogue flow | 95 Mscfd (5.6% helium, 83.2% methane) |
Upon successful gas intersection, NGT245 E will undergo production testing. The results will inform decisions on well interference, spacing, and future Production Right applications to South African authorities.
Why helium matters — and why ER315 stands out
Helium is a non-renewable critical gas sourced as a by-product of natural gas production. It is essential for medical imaging (MRI scanners), semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace applications, and scientific research. Global helium supply faces long-term constraints, making new sources of commercial significance.
High helium concentrations make a gas project commercially compelling, particularly where the resource can be independently verified and appraised systematically. ER315 has delivered independently verified helium concentrations of up to 8%, positioning it among the highest-grade helium provinces globally.
The Nooitgedacht drilling programme is designed to extend the ER315 reserve base approximately 40 km north of existing certified reserves, de-risking the broader permit area and supporting conversion of exploration rights into production rights.
David Casey, Managing Director and CEO
“The spudding of our first well at Nooitgedacht is another step forward in our methodical appraisal of ER315 as we look to build upon and extend the Company’s ER315 reserve base some 40 km to the north, all the while underpinning the conversion of existing exploration right areas to production rights.”
Casey added that with the Production Right application accepted for processing by Petroleum Agency SA last year, the drilling programme continues to build the data set supporting ongoing development of “one of the most compelling helium provinces in the world.”
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The bigger picture — D3 Energy’s asset base and next steps
D3 Energy holds a 479,409-acre land position across the Free State Province of South Africa. The portfolio comprises:
- Flagship ER315 permit, subject of Production Right Application PR016 currently under assessment by Petroleum Agency SA (PASA)
- Exploration Right Applications ER386, ER391, ER392, and ER393
- Technical Cooperation Permit TCP273
- ER386 — contiguous with ER315 and located within the same Virginia Fault structural corridor that hosts D3 Energy’s certified reserves and contingent resources
- Australian expansion — helium and hydrogen permits in the Arckaringa Basin
The initial Production Right Application area covers 15% of ER315 and approximately 9% of D3 Energy’s total exploration right acreage. The balance of the land position represents the company’s broader appraisal and development pipeline.
Following completion of NGT245 E, the company will spud NGT245 D. Production testing of NGT245 E is contingent on successful gas intersection. The data set generated from the programme will feed into future Production Right applications as D3 Energy works towards converting additional exploration right areas to production rights.
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