The Perth-based company today said the well, at a site 2.5km southwest of Diebling, is being drilled to a planned total depth of 1500m.

European Gas said four major packets of coal are being targeted, to be intersected below 900m subsurface and net coal is expected to be in excess of 30m.

It said the principal target is coal seam methane in the Westphalien D sequence, which is expected to be encountered at 900m.

The Diebling-St-1 core will be analysed for gas content for the coal seam, inter-seam sediment gas contents, porosity and permeability, fracture and cleating and fluid sensitivity in respect of the coals and intercalated sediments.

European Gas said the program is in preparation for the development of the large gas-in-place resource, which to date totals 28.1 billion cubic metres (991.2 billion cubic feet), in about 7% of the company’s permit and application areas.

Appraisal drilling is scheduled to begin in the first half of next year.