The drilling program will be the first undertaken by the Perth-based company, which described it as the initial step in evaluating a “potentially very significant” gas project in the UK.

“The virgin CSM exploration program being undertaken is intended to quantify the critical parameters of gas content and seam permeability needed to assess regional CSM attributes,” Eden said.

“This data will enable the planning of initial pilot CSM projects.”

The company plans to spud Port Talbot-1, the first well in the program, later this month.

Eden said Port Talbot-1 is being drilled at the eastern end of the licence area adjacent to the Associated British Ports Port Talbot facility.

The planned total depth of the well is 650m, with significant coal seams expected between 350m and 640m in the Westphalian Coal Measures of the South Wales Coal Basin.

The drilling program is expected to comprise three to six wells, totalling up to about

3500m.

Eden said the drilling, gas content analysis and in situ permeability test work program is expected to run from May to October.

PEDL100 lies between Cardiff and Swansea, about 220km from London.

Eden is earning a 50% interest in CSM in the licence, which is held by Coastal Oil and

Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of UK Onshore Gas Group.