“Initial production data indicates that, with a well-managed dewatering plan, these wells have the potential to become coal-seam gas producers,” said company secretary Patrick Sam-Yue.

“Following well completions, each of the three hydraulic fracture stimulated CSG wells is producing water at rates higher than that previously observed within the project area. {This] confirms that the coals are highly permeable and have the potential to produce high volumes of gas upon completion of the dewatering process.”

The project is located in PEL 238, which covers about 9,100 square kilometres in the Gunnedah Basin between Narrabri and Gunnedah in NSW.

According to Eastern Star, Bohena-9 is producing a rate of 290 bwpd (barrels of water per day) and 14,000 cubic feet per day (mcfd) of gas. Bohena South-1’s pump rate is 590 bwpd and 15 mcfd with “gradually increasing gas flows”. Bibblewindi-1 is on pump and producing at a rate of 716 bwpd and 3 mcfd. Bohena-4L is on pump and is producing at a rate of 70 bwpd and 34 mcfpd.

The project is owned by the Gunnedah Basin Gas Project JV and managed by Eastern Star. The partners in the JV are Gastar Exploration Ltd (50% decreasing to 35%), Eastern Star Gas Ltd (25% increasing o 32.5%) and Hillgrove Resources Ltd (25% increasing to 32.5%).