The company said the logs showed a series of thick and thin bed sands over a 97-metre interval, from a depth of 2160m to 2257m.

The three gas-bearing zones include the PL2B target zone, from 2218 to 2238m, an immediately deeper zone, PL2A from 2239m to 2257m, and a shallower zone, PL2C from 2160m to a potential 2197m.

“Based on the log evaluations, the PL2C level has the best gas bearing sands and gas flow rate potential from 2160m to 2175m with a potential extension from 2175m down to 2197m,” the company said.

“Based on log interpretations, the PL2B and PL2A zones also appear to be productive.”

Po Valley says a 14-day drill stem test program at Sillaro-1D will start today, to comprehensively test the target zones and collect the key flow rate and pressure information.