The Brisbane-based company yesterday said sales for the year were more than 160% above original contract volumes.

Since first gas was delivered in May 2006, daily sales from Berwyndale have risen rapidly and reached 35.5 terajoules per day on December 28, equivalent to 13 petajoules a year.

QGC managing director Richard Cottee said gas sales from the field exceeded 5PJ in 2006, a result that “compares favourably” with other Australian coal seam gas projects.

“The speed of development at Berwyndale South gas field has been remarkable, rivalling any of the best coal seam gas fields in Australia, including Scotia, Fairview and Spring Gully,” he said.

Cottee said the best performing well at Berwyndale recorded daily average flows of more than 4.6 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) last month, equal to 1.8PJ a year.

Another four wells are flowing above 2MMcfd on a daily average, while 50% of the wells there have now recorded peak weekly averages in excess of 1MMcfd.

“High flow rates allow us to supply more gas from fewer wells, thus lowering capital and operating costs and delivering better profitability for our shareholders,” Cottee said.

“When you add to that nine of the new development wells and five of our pilot wells are free-flowing gas, further capital and operational cost savings are achieved.”

He said the success of the free-flowing wells had also reduced fuel costs from a projected 11% to less than 6%.

Two new screw compressors were installed at the field in December 2006 and will be commissioned this month to increase the capacity of the field by an additional 50%.

The company said four screw compressors are currently in operation at Berwyndale, running above their name plate capacity.

Sales from the field during the first week of January 2007 have averaged 33.4TJd, equivalent to sales of 12.2PJ per year.

QGC is operator and majority owner (90%) of Berwyndale South gas field, in joint venture with Sentient Gas Australia (10%).