In ATP 837P in the Surat Basin, a 3D seismic program is planned for the fourth quarter of 2008 and drilling of CSM wells would occur at about the same time as the seismic is being processed late in 2008, Rawson said.

Elsewhere in the Surat, in ATP 873P, operator TRUenergy plans to drill two CSM wells on the Lacerta CSM trend in late 2008.

According to the company, the newly awarded permit ATP 873P and the previously awarded ATP 837P have CSM potential in the Walloon Coal Measures and Lower Cretaceous Coal measures.

Rawson has a 15% stake in ATP 837P and ATP 873P.

Meanwhile in EP 97, in the Pedirka Basin, the company said there was additional CSM potential in Permian coals in the northern half of its 100%-owned permit.

Rawson is finalising an agreement with Great Southern Gas (GSG) to farm-in to the northern portion of the permit.

The agreement would see Rawson assign 100% of its rights for CSM in the northern portion of the permit to GSG for an initial 16 million shares in GSG plus a 3% royalty.

If the farm-in were successful, Rawson would hold about 23.5% in GSG, while GSG would become operator of the northern portion of EP 97.

Great Southern Gas is an unlisted public company.