Located 2.2km north of Bibblewindi-1, Bibblewindi-10 was drilled to a total depth of 990.8m, with 5½ inch casing run and cemented to total depth. The well intersected the Bohena coal seam around 850m.

ESG said Bibblewindi-10, which was drilled as a pressure monitor well, would not be fracture stimulated in the future as part of the next phase of initial development drilling.

Bibblewindi-10 is aimed at monitoring formation pressure in the Bohena coal seam to see if the water and gas production from the nine wells within the Bibblewindi Production Pilot, located some distance to the south, is reflected in the pressure response within the Bohena seam in Bibblewindi-10. This will assist with maximising gas reserves certification, ESG said.

The drilling rig is currently being mobilised to Bibblewindi-7, the first of the new production pilot wells. Located about 700m north-east of Bibblewindi-1, the Bibblewindi-10 is expected to spud later this week, according to ESG.

Bibblewindi-1 was fracced late in 2004 and placed on continuous production test shortly after. ESG said initial results from the 6.5m-thick Bohena seam suggested a highly permeable coal seam with high water and increasing gas production rates.

The nine-well program, which is expected to be completed by mid-year, includes establishing a confined production pilot by drilling eight closely-spaced wells near the existing Bibblewindi-1 production well.

Successful production testing would provide the joint venture, which also includes Hillgrove Resources and Gastar Exploration, with certification of an initial volume of 2P (proven and probable) reserves from an estimated 8.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, ESG said.

Upon completion of the work program and production tests, ESG intends to connect all production wells in the Bohena Project Area, including the eight new wells, to the Wilga Park Power Station for electricity generation and sale.