The Upepo Project
Strategically positioned licences within a proven helium basin
Concentration in surface seeps — amongst the highest recorded globally
An area adjacent to proven helium discoveries
Overview
Primary helium exploration in one of the world's highest-grade provinces
The Upepo Project holds licences in Tanzania's Rukwa Basin — a proven helium system with demonstrated basement-derived helium, established migration pathways, and peer-validated discoveries. Basin-level geological risk has been materially reduced.
Clean Helium
Clean primary helium system, independent of hydrocarbon extraction.
Reduced Risk
Entering after basin validation, targeting proven helium fairways with lower geological risk.
Strategic Position
Positioned strategically to service the highest-growth import markets of Asia and Europe.
Strong Support
Strong stakeholder support reducing execution and permitting risk.
What’s next?
The remaining challenge is structural containment and that's precisely where Rift is positioned. We're applying a third-mover exploration model, using 3D seismic to refine targeting and upgrade probability before committing drilling capital. Production is targeted from 2029.
The Location
Why the Rukwa Basin?
Our licence sits directly next to active discovery areas with the same geological conditions. The system is proven — we're not exploring blind.
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World-class grades
Surface seeps reach 10.2% helium — among the highest recorded globally. With a mean concentration of 5.6%, we're positioned as a top 3 global supplier once in production.
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Strategic access
Tanzania connects directly to Asia, Europe, and North America. Dar es Salaam's deepwater port is just two days away by road, supporting efficient export logistics.
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Stable jurisdiction
Strong stakeholder support and an established mining framework. The World Bank has backed infrastructure projects in the region, primarily for gold mining.
Development Pathway
Each step de-risks the next. Every milestone brings us closer to production.
2026 Q1
Maiden prospective resource calculation and CPR
2026 Q2
3D seismic EIA
2026 Q3
3D seismic acquisition and interpretation
2027 Q1
Structural upgrade and Pg revision
2027 Q1
Drill location finalisation
2027 Q2
Exploration well drilling 2027
2028
Appraisal and permits
2029
Production starts
The Geological case
Evidence-led exploration, not speculation.
Here's the data behind our targeting approach from helium grade comparisons to structural mapping and probability modelling.
Current probability of geological success on 2D seismic: ~20%. Rift will not drill on that basis. We're acquiring continuous 3D seismic to define full structural geometry, precisely map crests and spill points, and improve volumetric confidence — targeting advancement toward the 30–50% range before committing drilling capital.
Our PL12093 licence sits up-dip along the interpreted migration fairway from basement source rocks. We're targeting mapped anticlines with defined crests and spill points — conventional structural closures within sandstone reservoirs, sealed by regional mudstones, in a water-supported system. This framework enables volumetric definition and clearer risk assessment.