The operator of the Janovice gas field has estimated that gas in place amounts to around 1.4 billion cubic feet, with recoverable reserves of 1.1 billion cubic feet. Currently an absolute open flow rate of 14 million cubic feet per day is expected although final figures are yet to be received.

Ja3a is designed to twin the abandoned and plugged exploration well Ja3 that was drilled in 1966, with the top of the primary objective Karpat sandstone reservoir at around 1030 metres measured depth.

The well is located in the Janovice gas field, which was discovered and evaluated under the former Czechoslovakian communist regime. Recoverable reserves were established within the area of the two discovery wells but no production occurred.

Carpathian shares dropped on the announcement, trading at 7.5c at press time, its lowest levels this year.

The Janovice field is located in the Czech Republic about 20km south of Ostrava and 5 km from Carpathian's Krásná oil field.