It is the second well in the current two-well drilling program. Coonarah-8, which was drilled to total depth last week, has successfully intersected the targeted gas sandstone and has been completed for future production.

Meanwhile, Coonarah-8 well has been successfully flow tested through production tubing at a stabilised rate of 2.6 million cubic feet per day, with a flowing pressure of 410 psi through a half-inch choke.

The completion interval in Coonarah-8 includes both the Early Permian Maules Creek reservoir sandstone currently producing gas from the Coonarah-1B, 3, 4 and 5 production wells, and an overlying two-metre sandstone interval that is present but untested in the other production wells.

Coonarah-8 is currently being connected to Eastern Star's pipeline for delivery of gas to the Wilga Park

Power Station, with first production from the new well expected on 8 April.

The Wilga Park Power Station has recently been expanded from 10MW to 12MW to accept additional gas from the gas field.

ESG has 100% interest in the Coonarah Gas Field.