Analysis of wireline logs has confirmed that the top seam intersected in MC-1 was indeed the Richmond Seam, from which coal seam gas is produced at the South Casino Trial field.

At Middle Creek, the Richmond Seam is 6.95m thick and gas charged, and field analysis confirms that gas contains significant quantities of methane, according to Metgasco.

Joint venture partners Metgasco and Molopo are now awaiting the analysis of samples to provide a full gas analysis.

In addition, the well encountered a further 16m of gas-charged coal seams greater than 1.5m thick, occurring below the Richmond seam to a depth of 612m.

Now at a total depth of 633m, MC-1 will be partially cemented from 633m to 350m to permit coring when a suitable coring rig becomes available.

Metgasco funded 100% of the drilling of this stratigraphic test well, which will largely satisfy its funding obligations to earn a 51% initial interest in the CSM rights within PEL 13.

Once Metgasco has earned 51%, it will have the option to take its interest to 75% by spending a further $267,000 in PEL 13. Molopo is retaining 100% interest in the conventional petroleum (non-CSM) rights in the permit.