Describing the results as “very encouraging,” the company said Rockdale and Russell Park in the west of the field were the most promising prospects.

Both prospects are to be drilled from November this year using the Hunt Rig 3, with appraisal drilling planned for early 2006 subject to success at the initial exploration wells. Sunshine said the number of wells would depend on rig availability.

Since regaining full control of the project in June this year, Sunshine’s technical review aimed to delineate previously overlooked potential within the 3D seismic data set by applying specialist geophysical techniques, said the company.

Sunshine claimed the 291 billion cubic feet gas potential was a conservative estimate, as it did not include the possibility of linking the various prospects delineated to date. Recoverable reserves will be calculated after gas flow rates are stabilised, said the company.

In addition, a work-over rig has been secured for flow testing at Overston-2 later this month.

The work-over will aim to produce a stabilised gas flow rate from the previously fracture stimulated Overston Sandstone by commingling production from several gas saturated intervals, according to Sunshine.