In a statement the firm said, “Initial indications are that the gas content of the coal appears to be good and that the composition of the gas is predominantly methane. As the well drills deeper, the gas content of the coal appears to be increasing significantly.”

“The intersection of 23 metres of coal to date is potentially very significant for the company. The well is yet to reach total depth and the evaluation of the section is not yet complete. However, initial indications look to be promising [and we are] coring ahead at a depth of approximately 360 metres on the way to [the] planned total depth of 550 metres,” it added.