Johannesburg-listed junior Renergen aims to take the final investment decision after June on its ground-breaking Virginia mini-liquefied natural gas and helium project in South Africa once Italian contractor Saipem has completed engineering studies.

Onshore Tanzania, meanwhile, London-listed player Helium One has started a 150-kilometre infill seismic campaign on its prospective Rukwa asset that could host significant helium resources, ahead of a likely exploration drilling campaign this year.

For Renergen’s project, Saipem is in the middle of front-end engineering and design work on the Virginia Phase 2 project with responsibility for the LNG and liquid helium processing facilities, including what is called the associated balance of plant.