Nasdaq- and JSE-listed advanced materials company ASP Isotopes (ASPI) says oil and gas producer Tetra4 has started commissioning Phase 1 of its liquid helium plant, following engineering optimisation at the Virginia gas project, in South Africa.
The start-up of the liquid helium part of the plant is the key remaining step to realise value from two product streams - liquid helium and liquefied natural gas (LNG) - before ASPI ramps up production volumes to nameplate capacity during the second half of this year.
ASPI expects to ship the first commercial helium to customers during September.
Phase 1 is expected to produce about 2 500 GJ/day of LNG and about 70-million cubic feet a day of liquid helium, with commercial production expected to start during the third quarter of this year.
Tetra4 is a subsidiary of ASPI liquid helium and LNG subsidiary Renergen.
