Novus said the Novus United Lands (NUL) 13-1 well at the Sorrento Dome Field, onshore Louisiana, will target gas reserves in the range of 7-to-12 billion cubic feet with potential for over 20 bcf including the secondary targets.

With a planned total depth of 3256m, drilling and evaluation is expected to take 30 days. Dry hole well costs is estimated at $US2 million.

"Novus has managed, by farming-in to its partners' interests, to secure a 100% working interest in the well, which it will earn upon making a successful well," the company said.

"The partners have the right to come back into the well "after payout" (after Novus recovers its drilling, completion and facility costs from production) which would reduce Novus' working interest to 86.4%."

Novus acquired its interest in the Sorrento acreage in 2002 from Darcy Energy.