By Ajong Mbpnadah L
Helium explorer Rift Helium plc has unveiled an ambitious work programme for the coming year as it advances its flagship Upepo Project in Tanzania’s Rukwa Basin, setting the stage for its first drilling campaign in the first half of 2027.
Just months after listing on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM market in April 2026, the company says it has moved swiftly from fundraising to implementation, with regulatory, technical and operational activities progressing in parallel.
The company raised £8.1 million through its Initial Public Offering and says the funding provides the financial backing required to execute its exploration strategy while maintaining a disciplined approach to spending.
“Our focus since admission has been straightforward – take the capital raised and put it to work efficiently to advance the Upepo Project,” Chief Executive Officer Charles FitzRoy said in a statement.
“The work underway today, from permitting and seismic planning to stakeholder engagement and drilling preparation, is all geared toward achieving our goal of drilling in H1 2027.”
Building Momentum in Tanzania
Rift Helium’s Upepo Project is located within Tanzania’s Rukwa Basin, an area that has increasingly attracted international attention due to its helium potential. The basin is regarded as one of the few places globally where geological conditions are favorable for the accumulation of primary helium resources.
Since its market debut, the company has been advancing several key activities simultaneously. These include the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process with Tanzanian authorities, consultations with government ministries and regional stakeholders, and preparations for a planned 3D seismic survey expected to play a crucial role in refining drilling targets.
The company is also reviewing existing prospects across the licence area while laying the groundwork for future drilling operations through early well design, logistics planning and procurement.
Equally important, Rift says it is strengthening its technical capabilities within Tanzania and maintaining close engagement with local communities as part of its long-term development strategy.
Important Milestones Ahead
The next 12 months are expected to be among the most significant in the company’s short history.
Among the milestones Rift expects to achieve are:
- Completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment and related approvals;
- Award of contracts for the 3D seismic programme;
- Mobilisation and acquisition of seismic data across priority areas of the Upepo Project;
- Processing and interpretation of the new seismic data;
- Potential updates to resource estimates;
- Identification and ranking of priority drilling targets;
- Well planning and drilling procurement; and
- Final preparations for the planned drilling campaign in the first half of 2027.
FitzRoy believes the company is entering an important phase at a time when demand for helium is increasing globally.
“We believe Rift is well positioned, with a funded work programme, a clear technical strategy and exposure to a commodity that is becoming increasingly important to industries around the world,” he said.
Rising Demand for Helium
Helium is a strategic resource used in a wide range of industries, including medical imaging, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, scientific research and high-tech manufacturing. Global demand has continued to grow while concerns persist over the concentration of supply from a limited number of producing countries.
Against this backdrop, companies seeking new and reliable helium sources have intensified exploration efforts, with Tanzania emerging as one of Africa’s most promising frontiers.
For Rift Helium, the months ahead will be critical as it moves from exploration planning to seismic acquisition and, ultimately, to drilling – a stage that could determine the commercial potential of the Upepo Project and the company’s future trajectory.
