Antares Energy has contracted a drilling rig to drill Yukon-1 and Yukon-2 back to back. These two wells will test an objective at about 5,000 feet, according to Antares managing director Howard McLaughlin.

“These next two wells are the first tests of a widespread geologic play developed by Antares Energy,” McLaughlin said.

“If the vertical well shows promise we will drill a long-reach horizontal well from the same well bore to enhance production and reserves. This is an exciting play concept and if successful we will have identified a large number of potential follow-up drilling locations throughout the county.”

Antares Energy will operate the wells and hold 87.5% working interest in the acreage. The balance is held by Mueller Exploration, which will also act as contract driller for the wells.

Elsewhere in Oklahoma, Antares Energy’s Ellis gas field has begun piping gas into the Duke Energy regional sales line.

Ellis-1 and 2 are producing strongly out of secondary zones, and unexpectedly high volumes of gas from a secondary reservoir in Ellis-2 well in Oklahoma could boost the company's net revenue by up to 50%, the company has said.

Drilling recently started on Antares’ third Ellis well, following up the first two successful wells drilled late last year. Antares has contracted a drilling rig to drill Ellis-3 and Ellis-4 back-to-back, with an option to drill two additional wells.