In June, samples taken from the conventional gas zone at a depth of 570 metres in the Champagne Creek-3 revealed a gas composition of about 98% methane and 2% nitrogen.

Sunshine said a constant pressure had been recorded in the gas reservoir since initial testing. Further testing will take place next week.

With the gas/water separator still unavailable, the company had decided to conduct longer-term tests without that equipment to determine any indication of reservoir pressure depletion.

If the tests show no pressure depletion, this would indicate a good reservoir reservoir, and Sunshine would then spend money isolating the gas from the water zone and obtaining a stabilised gas flow measurement in order to calculate reserves.

If the tests showed pressure depletion, Sunshire would cut its losses and spend no further money on the well.