Integrated renewable energy business Renergen has started helium production at the Virginia Gas Project, located in South Africa’s Free State province.
The project’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) has brought the helium cold box to the appropriate temperature, enabling helium to be liquefied in batches from the wells.
The next steps include verifying that all operating conditions are up to standard, following a performance test will which will be conducted by the OEM before the project is put into full operational mode.
Throughout this process, Renergen CEO Stefano Marani, stated that LNG production has not ceased and that “all liquid helium produced is recoverable and will be used to fill tanks for customers.”
Phase 1 of the Renergen Gas Project aims to produce 350 kg of liquid helium per day in tandem with 2,700 gigajoules of LNG per day. Production will increase to 5,000 kg of helium per day and 24,000 gigajoules of LNG. The project began producing LNG in 2022, marking the country’s first LNG project to become operational.
