Drilled to a total depth of 13,371 feet, the Schoenfield-1 well looked promising after encountering elevated gas readings while drilling through the target horizons.

However, operator Texas Standard Oil & Gas Operating Company found that a lack of sufficient sand reservoir meant these horizons were incapable of commercial production.

“While the well was drilled as planned without any hole problems, the absence of a commercial gas sand reservoir is disappointing,” managing director John Kopcheff said.

Interests in the El Fatso prospect are Aurora with 50%, VicPet with 20% and private United States interests with 30%.

Looking ahead, VicPet plans to turn its attention to the Don Juan coal seam methane gas project, in Queensland’s Surat Basin, where a third well is expected to spud.

“Within the Australian area of operations, Vicpet plans this week to resume drilling of the third well in the Don Juan Coal Seam Gas Project in the Surat Basin. This will be the first CSG well for Vicpet in 2008 out of the programmed 16-well Surat Basin coal seam gas drilling program.”